Ellen Wilson was modest and artistic. She preferred private, small dinners at the White House instead of large-scale parties and balls. She had a studio room with a skylight built in the White House, where she could practice her painting. She did not have much time to pursue the craft, however, since she helped arrange White House weddings for two daughters and served as hostess for many private dinners. Her time for painting was also cut short when she was stricken by Bright's disease, a kidney ailment. Ellen Wilson died on August 6, 1914, just a year and a half into her husband's presidency.

With her love of art and her gentle nature, Ellen was a good companion for Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924; see entry in volume 4), who was studious and enjoyed literature, along with history, law, and political science. She would have been an especially valuable companion to...