Elizabeth Kortright Monroe (June 30, 1768 - September 23, 1830) was First Lady of the United States from 1817 to 1825, as the wife of James Monroe, fifth President of the United States, who held the office for two terms. A gown in the collection of the James Monroe Museum indicates she was a petite woman, not taller than 5 feet. She first caught Monroe's attention in 1785 while he was in New York serving as a member of the Continental Congress. James, age 27, married Elizabeth, age 17, on February 16, 1786. Although she was respected and admiredn during her husband's second term, she compared poorly to her predecessor, Dolley Madison, who had captivated Washington society. Retiring sickly and suffering several long illnesses, she died in 1830 at the age of 62.