Frances Clara Cleveland Preston (, christened Frank Clara; July 21, 1864 – October 29, 1947) was the first lady of the United States from 1886 to 1889 and again from 1893 until 1897, as the wife of President Grover Cleveland. She was the first to hold the position nonconsecutively. Having married Cleveland at age 21, she was the youngest first lady in American history.
When Folsom was an infant, she first met Grover Cleveland. Her father, Oscar Folsom, was also a close friend to Cleveland. When her father died in 1875, Cleveland became the executor of the estate, paid off the family's outstanding debts, and provided for the well-being of Frances and her mother, Emma. After graduating Wells College, she married Grover Cleveland during his first presidential term. When he lost reelection in 1888, the Clevelands went into private life for four years and began having children. After Grover Cleveland was elected president again in 1892, Frances dedicated much of her time in the second term to her children.
The Clevelands had five children, four of whom survived to adulthood. Cleveland became involved in education advocacy, serving on the Wells College board, supporting women's education, and organizing the construction of kindergartens. Grover Cleveland died in 1908, and in 1913, Frances married Thomas J. Preston Jr.. She continued to work in education activism after leaving the White House, becoming involved with Princeton University. During World War I, she advocated military preparedness. She died in 1947 and was buried alongside her first husband in Princeton Cemetery.
Early life
Childhood
thumb|left|upright|Frances Folsom's childhood home in [[Buffalo, New York|alt=A two-story brick house]]
Born in Buffalo, New York, on July 21, 1864, Her father was a lawyer who had a law partnership with Grover Cleveland. her father's gambling habits and his penchant for helping others with his money caused them financial trouble as she grew. When not in school, she regularly spent time with Cleveland,
Folsom's father died in a carriage accident on July 23, 1875.
Wells College
When Folsom was 14, she joined the Presbyterian Church, to which she remained devoted throughout her life. Folsom received two more marriage proposals at Wells, both on the same day. She accepted one of them, but this engagement was also ended by a decision to remain friends. He visited her, sent her flowers, and brought her on tours of New York<!--the state, or just the city?--> when her schedule permitted. Cleveland proposed marriage by letter in August 1885, while Folsom was visiting a friend in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Rumors grew after reporters caught up with the Folsoms and found them shopping for a wedding gown. Cleveland visited Folsom in New York while he was in the city attending a Decoration Day parade on May 30, 1886,
Cleveland was credited with an increase in the president's sociability after their marriage. The president set aside time in his busy schedule to be with his wife, attending the theater and going on carriage rides. She holds the record as the First Lady with the longest post-presidency. She was buried in Princeton Cemetery next to President Cleveland.
Legacy
thumb|upright|Frances Cleveland by [[Anders Zorn, 1899|alt=A painting of Frances Cleveland]]
Cleveland was much-loved as first lady, drawing an unprecedented level of media and public attention. Contemporaries ranked her among the greatest of first ladies. The most recent survey (conducted in 2020) ranked her 26th of 40.
Fashion and image
Much of Cleveland's fame and media coverage focused on her appearance and her fashion,