Full-standing studio view of Miss Harriet Lane, niece of President James Buchanan. Clear image with very good contrast. Photograph by Edward Anthony of New York from Brady negative.

Harriet Rebecca Lane Johnston (May 9, 1830 – July 3, 1903) acted as first lady of the United States during the administration of her uncle, lifelong bachelor President James Buchanan, from 1857 to 1861. She has been described as the first of the modern First Ladies, being a notably charming and diplomatic hostess, whose dress-styles were copied, and who promoted deserving causes. In her will, she left funds for a new school on the grounds of Washington National Cathedral. Several ships have been named in her honor, including the cutter USCGC Harriet Lane, still in service, as of 2021.

Lane is the only person to have served as First Lady to a bachelor president. She is among eleven women who have served as First Lady, but were not married to the President, with most of the other women being relatives of widowed presidents.

At Harriet Lane Johnston's funeral, services were conducted by Bishop Satterlee and Canon DeVries of the Washington National Cathedral. She was buried in Green Mount Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland, her grave marked with a Celtic cross.  [jet]   [ph:L]

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