Sharon Williams Leahy
Sept. 27, 2026
Julia Gardiner Tyler and the Power of a First Lady’s Public Image with Christopher and Sharon Leahy
Year(s) Discussed: 1820-1889 Before and after entering the White House, Julia Gardiner Tyler learned how public opinion could shape a person’s reputation—and how to push back when the story was wrong. Historians Sharon and Christopher Leahy explore her influence on the evolving role of first lady and the contradictions that connect her life to the wider story of the United States in the 19th century. More information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.
Guests: Christopher Leahy , Sharon Williams Leahy