Bringing Eliza Home

Bringing Eliza Home

From Plodding Through The Presidents by Howard & Jessica Dorre

October 16, 2025 · 45 min · Season 6 · Episode 16

About this episode

The episode explores the life of Eliza Monroe Hay and her journey to being brought back to the U.S. from Paris.

How did Eliza Monroe Hay, unofficial first lady and daughter of fifth president James Monroe, end up buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris? We welcome author Barbara VornDick to share her incredible story of researching Eliza, pushing back on her historically bossy reputation, and working to bring her home. Check out “Eliza's True Story: The First Biography of President Monroe's Eldest Daughter” by Barbara VornDick: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elizas-true-story-barbara-vorndick/1145846740 Latest information from the Bringing Eliza Home project: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Bringing-Eliza-Home-Project-61558069665312/ Find out more at plodpod.com Join our Patreon community for ad-free episodes and bonus content at https://www.patreon.com/ploddingthroughthepresidents Check out our merch at https://plodding-through-the-presidents.dashery.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Guest: Barbara VornDick

Topics covered

  • Eliza Monroe Hay
  • James Monroe
  • historical research
  • biography

Keywords

  • Père Lachaise Cemetery
  • first lady
  • historical reputation

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Eliza's True Story: The First Biography of President Monroe's Eldest Daughter

Books & works: Bringing Eliza Home, Eliza's True Story: The First Biography of President Monroe's Eldest Daughter

Places: Paris

More episodes of Plodding Through The Presidents

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Plodding Through The Presidents podcast page.