Title: Photograph of Lucretia Rudolph Garfield

Description: Lucretia Rudolph Garfield, nicknamed “Crete” by her husband, never really enjoyed the formal entertaining required of a first lady. The president sought her political opinion and companionship constantly, and when she became ill at the White House, he was distraught. Mrs. Garfield was at the New Jersey seaside recovering from her illness when Charles Julius Guiteau shot President Garfield. She immediately returned to Washington to care for the president, and was praised by the country for her devotion and strength.

Date: Unknown

Creator: Mathew Brady

Credit: Library of Congress