has allowed for limited historical analysis. She refused to provide information about herself or her beliefs to journalists during her lifetime, and she destroyed many of her letters after leaving the White House. There is no consensus among historians on her performance as first lady or to what extent she influenced her husband's presidency.

Early life

Bess was born as Elizabeth Virginia Wallace on February 13, 1885, in Independence, Missouri, to Margaret or "Madge" Elizabeth Gates (1862-1952) and David Willock Wallace. Margaret

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