Emily Nelson Ritchie McLean

Emily Nelson Ritchie McLean (January 28, 1859 – May 20, 1916) was an American civic leader who served as the 7th president general of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Early life and family

McLean was born Emily Nelson Ritchie on January 28, 1859, at Prospect Hall, the home of her grandparents in Frederick, Maryland.

She first resided with her parents on the north side of W. Patrick Street in Frederick, east of Carroll Creek, where they were neighbors of Barbara Fritchie. She later served as a regent of the New York City chapter.

She was considered a candidate for DAR's president general in 1901 but lost to Cornelia Cole Fairbanks. On April 20, 1905, she was elected as president general during the first NSDAR Continental Congress to take place in the auditorium of Memorial Continental Hall. Upon her election as the seventh president general, it was said by members of the DAR that "Mrs. McLean is to the Daughters of the American Revolution what President Roosevelt is to the nation—a leader."

During her tenure as president general, she brought practical construction to the building of Memorial Continental Hall. She also oversaw the establishment of the DAR's first scholastic scholarship for Berry College.

She gave birth to three daughters, Elizabeth Maulsby McLean in 1852, Rebecca McCormick McLean in 1887, and Emily Nelson Ritchie McLean in 1889. This scandal was followed by more accusations of mismanagement of finances in 1913 and 1914, which led to lawsuits. At the time, her funeral was one of the largest to ever take place in Frederick. The Emily Nelson Ritchie McLean Fund was also named in her honor.