dolley payne todd madison (may 20, 1768 – july 12, 1849) was the wife of us president james madison. james madison was president from 1809 to 1817 while dolley madison was the first lady of the united states. she is best known for saving washington's portrait when the british burned the white house in the war of 1814. though she is also a famous entertainer, the first to serve ice cream in the white house.