Eleanor Roosevelt: Didn’t like the description, “No good in a bed”

October 3, 2010

Eleanor Roosevelt, image from MedScape; at Pearl Harbor, 1943

Eleanor Roosevelt at Pearl Harbor in 1943 - image from MedScape

Is this story true? I’ve not been able to verify the quote — it’s a great story, and better if true. From MedScape Today, “The Case of the Well-known Woman with Unexplained Anemia”:

Although reserved, Roosevelt had a quiet sense of humor. When commenting about how she felt about having a rose named after her, she remarked: “I was very flattered . . . but not pleased with the description in the catalogue: no good in a bed, but fine up against a wall.”

Can anyone tell us when and where she said that?  Gardeners, can you confirm?  Can anyone find a photo of the rose, “Eleanor Roosevelt?”  (It’s probably a yellow rose, but I haven’t found a description.)

Eleanor Roosevelt teacup, First Ladies Library

Eleanor Roosevelt teacup, First Ladies Library

More:

2 Comments | A Good Story, Biography, Famous quotes, First Ladies, Gardening, History, Humor, Quotes | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Ed Darrell

Abigail Powers Fillmore (Women’s History Month)

March 18, 2009

Millard Fillmore’s life was shaped by the women he loved.  His first wife, Abigail Powers, probably was the chief spur for his drive which took him to the presidency.  In the White House, she stood for education and improvement of American culture — she founded the White House Library in 1851.  A remarkable woman you should know more about.

Abigail Fillmore, Library of Congress image

Abigail Fillmore, Library of Congress image

Short bio of Abigail Powers Fillmore, and her tragic death, at LynnSpirit.  Several other women are profiled — few you’ve heard of, most you should know.

(Oops – her birthday was yesterday, March 17.)

2 Comments | Education, History, Millard Fillmore, White House, Women's rights | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Ed Darrell