Beyond Paris: Jacqueline Kennedy and the Presidency

Abstract

A presidential spouse in an era of rigid gender norms, Jacqueline Kennedy frequently straddled the divide between celebrity, social acceptability, and personal desire. Yet, history remembers America's thirty-seventh First Lady more for her fashion and soft-spoken nature. Forgotten is that she was a `transitional' figure, who oversaw America's largest restoration of the White House and served as a `goodwill ambassador' for her husband. When three gunshots brought their tenure to an abrupt end, Jackie's focus shifted and she fixated on the creation of a legacy that immortalized JFK. `Camelot,' is a construct almost exclusively conceived and executed by the former First Lady. In this vein, the coming exploration delves into the private actions of Jackie during her time in as First Lady, contrasting them sharply with her public image. What emerges is a portrait the world seldom saw: one driven by raw intellect and a desire to be of service to her husband and country.

Author Keywords: Camelot, First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Restoration, White House

    Item Description
    Type
    Contributors
    Creator (cre): Priest, Allen George
    Thesis advisor (ths): Sheinin, David
    Degree committee member (dgc): Dunaway, Finis
    Degree committee member (dgc): Durand, Caroline
    Degree committee member (dgc): Kay, Carolyn
    Degree committee member (dgc): Pruessen, Ronald
    Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
    Date Issued
    2014
    Date (Unspecified)
    2014
    Place Published
    Peterborough, ON
    Language
    Extent
    165 pages
    Rights
    Copyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.
    Local Identifier
    TC-OPET-10199
    Publisher
    Trent University
    Degree
    Master of Arts (M.A.): History