Grace Coolidge seemed to be her husband's exact opposite in personality and style. She was outgoing, lively, and spirited, in contrast to the president's famously reserved, almost dour (stern; gloomy) personality. Nevertheless, the Coolidges enjoyed a solid union, for they complemented each other's characters exceedingly well. "For almost a quarter of a century she was borne with my infirmities [faults], and I have rejoiced in her graces," wrote Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933; see entry in volume 4) of his wife in his autobiography. Their otherwise happy years in the White House were marked by the tragedy of the death of their son, Calvin Jr., in 1924.

Vermont native

Grace Coolidge, the first graduate of a public university to become a first lady, was born in Burlington, Vermont, in 1879. She was the only child of Andrew Goodhue, a mechanical engineer and steamboat inspector for the Lake Champlain Transportation Company, and...