Elizabeth Willing Powel: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

Line 21:

| signature = Firma di Elizabeth Willing Powel (ritagliata).svg

}}

'''Elizabeth Willing Powel''' ({{OldStyleDateDY|February 21,|1743|February 10, 1742/43}} – January 17, 1830) was an American socialite and a prominent member of the Philadelphia [[upper class]] of the late 1700s18th and early 1800s19th centuries. The daughter and later wife of [[List of mayors of Philadelphia|mayors of Philadelphia]], she was a politically connected woman who hosted well-attended and high-profile parties, after the fashion of a [[Salon (gathering)|French salon]], which became a staple of political life in the city. During the [[First Continental Congress]] in 1774, Powel opened her home to the delegates and their families, hosting dinner parties and events. After the [[American Revolutionary War]], she once again took her place among the most prominent Philadelphian socialites, establishing a salon of leading intellectuals and political figures.

Powel corresponded widely, including with the political elite of the time. She was a close friend and confidant to [[George Washington]] and was among those that convinced him to continue for a second term [[Presidency of George Washington|as president]]. She wrote extensively, but privately, on a wide range of subjects, including politics, the role of women, physics, medicine, education, and philosophy. Powel is also said to be the person who asked [[Benjamin Franklin]], "What have we got, a republic or a monarchy?", to which he reportedly said, "A republic{{nbsp}}... if you can keep it",{{Efn|Some sources quote Franklin's response as "A republic, madam{{nbsp}}..."{{Sfn|Metaxas|2017|p=9}} as [[James McHenry]] retold the story in ''The Republican, or Anti-Democrat'' newspaper on July 15, 1803.<ref name="Anecdote">{{Cite web |url=http://boston1775.blogspot.com/2017/03/how-dr-mchenry-operated-on-his-anecdote.html |title=How Dr. McHenry Operated on His Anecdote |last=Bell |first=J. L. |date=March 27, 2017 |website=Boston 1774|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105080315/https://boston1775.blogspot.com/2017/03/how-dr-mchenry-operated-on-his-anecdote.html|archive-date=January 5, 2020|access-date=February 4, 2020}}</ref> McHenry's original journal entry during the Convention reads: "A lady asked Dr. Franklin well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy – A republic replied the Doctor if you can keep it."<ref name=":4" /><ref name="loc.gov" />|name=madam}} an often quoted statement about the [[Constitution of the United States]]. The exchange was first recorded by [[James McHenry]], a delegate of the [[Constitutional Convention (United States)|Constitutional Convention]], in his journal entry dated September 18, 1787. Powel's exchange with Franklin was adapted over time, with the role played by Powel all but removed in 20th-century versions and replaced with an anonymous "lady", "woman", or "concerned citizen". The setting of the conversation was also revised from her home at the [[Powel House]] to the steps of [[Independence Hall]].