Aaron Burr was a historical scoundrel. He tried to steal the presidency from Jefferson while serving as his running mate. As vice president, he shot and killed Alexander Hamilton during a duel. Later he was involved in a treasonous conspiracy against the U.S. Government.
However, Burr was a match maker. He served as a senator from New York when the nation's capital was still in Philadelphia. When in town he often stayed at Mary Payne's boarding house. There he met her widowed daughter Dorothea "Dolley" Payne.
Had the two become romantically involved and married, history may have been different for Burr. Instead, Aaron introduced Dolley to a friend, a shy Virginia congressman who was still a bachelor at age forty-two.
James Madison
That's how Dolley became Dolley Madison, the legendary First Lady who won over Washington and the world with her charm.
