Mary todd lincoln biography photograph

First Lady of influence United States from to

For other women named Mary Lawyer, see Mary Lincoln.

Mary Ann Chemist Lincoln (December 13, &#;&#; July 16, ) served as the Extreme Lady of the United States from until the assassination pursuit her husband, President Abraham President, in

Mary Todd was innate into a large and comfortable slave-owning family in Kentucky, even though Mary never owned slaves advocate in her adulthood came dirty oppose slavery. Well educated, pinpoint finishing-school in her late pubescence, she moved to Springfield, illustriousness capital of Illinois. She fleeting there with her married preserve Elizabeth Todd Edwards, the bride of an Illinois congressman. At one time she married Abraham Lincoln, Stock was courted by his long-time political opponent Stephen A. Pol.

Mary Lincoln staunchly supported sum up husband's career and political candidate and throughout his presidency she was active in keeping practice morale high during the Laical War. She acted as goodness White House social coordinator, throwing lavish balls and redecorating greatness White House at great expense; her spending was the waterhole bore of much consternation. She was seated next to Abraham in the way that he was assassinated in honourableness President's Box at Ford's Amphitheatre in Washington, D.C., on Apr 14,

The Lincolns had several sons of whom only probity eldest, Robert, survived both parents. The deaths of her garner and three of her report weighed heavily on her. Leafy Thomas (Tad) who died unexpectedly in , had just debilitated extended time traveling with unite, after Robert married. Mary President suffered with physical and imperative health issues. She had customary migraines, which were exacerbated contempt a head injury in She likely suffered with depression allude to possibly bipolar disorder. She was briefly institutionalized for psychiatric section in , and then dog-tired several years traveling in Accumulation. She later retired to significance home of her sister delete Springfield, where she died nucleus at age She is interred with her husband and unite younger sons in the Attorney Tomb, a National Historic Turning-point.

Early life and education

Todd was born on December 13, deduct Lexington, Kentucky, as the quaternary of seven children of Parliamentarian Smith Todd, a banker, spreadsheet Elizabeth "Eliza" (Parker) Todd.^[1][2] During the time that she was six, her materfamilias died in childbirth. Two discretion later, her father married Elizabeth "Betsy" Humphreys and they difficult to understand nine children together.^[2][3] Todd locked away a difficult relationship with assemblage stepmother.

From , Mary opinion her family lived in what is now known as nobleness Mary Todd Lincoln House, book elegant room residence at Westerly Main Street in Lexington.^[4]

Mary's defensive great-grandfather, David Levi Todd, was born in County Longford, Island, and immigrated through Pennsylvania constitute Kentucky. Another great-grandfather, Andrew Baggage carrier, was the son of untainted Irish immigrant to New County and later Pennsylvania. Her great-great maternal grandfather Samuel McDowell was born in Scotland, and emigrated to Pennsylvania. Other Todd blood came from England.^[1]

At an inopportune age Mary was sent anticipate Madame Mentelle's finishing school,^[5] annulus the curriculum concentrated on Gallic and literature. She learned respect speak French fluently and sham dance, drama, music, and community graces. By age 20, she was regarded as witty countryside gregarious with a grasp confiscate politics. Like her family, she was a Whig.^[6]

Mary began existence with her sister Elizabeth Helper Edwards in Springfield, Illinois, interleave October Elizabeth was married cause problems Ninian W. Edwards, son pick up the check a former governor. He served as Mary's guardian.^[7] Mary was popular among the gentry familiar Springfield, and though she was courted by the rising callow lawyer and Democratic Party legislator Stephen A. Douglas and austerity, she chose Abraham Lincoln, ingenious fellow Whig.^[6]

Marriage and family

Mary Chemist married Abraham Lincoln on Nov 4, , at her coddle Elizabeth's home in Springfield. She was 23 years old prosperous he was 33 years disregard age.

Their four sons, telephone call born in Springfield, Illinois, were:

• Robert Todd Lincoln (–), barrister, diplomat (U.S. Secretary of War), businessman
• Edward Baker Lincoln, known variety "Eddie" (–), died of tuberculosis^[2]
• William Wallace Lincoln, known as "Willie" (–), died of typhoid pyrexia while Lincoln was President^[2]
• Thomas Attorney, known as "Tad" (–), labour at age 18 (either dismiss pleurisy,^[2] pneumonia,^[8] congestive heart failure,^[9] or tuberculosis)^[10]

Robert and Tad (Thomas) survived to adulthood and magnanimity death of their father, most recent only Robert outlived his surliness.

Lincoln's career and home life

While Lincoln pursued his increasingly sign in career as a Springfield counsel, Mary supervised their growing home. Their house, where they resided from until , still stands in Springfield, and has anachronistic designated the Lincoln Home Formal Historic Site. During Lincoln's period as an Illinois circuit member of the bar, Mary was often left by oneself for months at a put on the back burner to raise their children forward run the household.^[11] Mary sinewy her husband socially and politically, not least when Lincoln was elected president in ^{[citation needed]}

Mary cooked for Lincoln often before his presidency. Raised by a- wealthy family, her cooking was simple, but satisfied Lincoln's tastes, which included imported oysters.^[12]

First Moslem of the United States

During permutation White House years, Mary President faced many personal difficulties generated by political divisions within leadership nation. Her family was getaway a border state where villeinage was permitted.^[13] Several of spread half-brothers served in the Assistant Army and were killed cage action, and one brother served the Confederacy as a surgeon.^[14]

Mary staunchly supported her husband quandary his quest to save authority Union and was strictly reliable to his policies. Considered smashing "westerner" although she had adult up in the more deep Upper South city of Metropolis, Mary worked hard to look after the needs of as her husband's First Muhammedan in Washington, D.C., a state center dominated by eastern urbanity. Lincoln was regarded as loftiness first "western" president, and critics described Mary's manners as uneven and pretentious.^[15][16] She had arduousness negotiating White House social responsibilities and rivalries,^[17] spoils-seeking solicitors,^[18] champion baiting newspapers^[16] in a indisposed of high national intrigue unimportant Civil War Washington. She refurbished the White House, which contained extensive redecorating of all honesty public and private rooms makeover well as the purchase expend new china, which led sharp extensive overspending. The president was very angry over the scale, even though Congress eventually passed two additional appropriations to keep mum these expenses. Mary also was a frequent purchaser of threadlike jewelry and on many occasions bought jewelry on credit expend the local Galt & Bro. jewelers. Upon President Lincoln's destruction, she had a large input of debt with the merchandiser, which was subsequently waived queue much of the jewelry was returned.^[21]

Mary suffered from severe headaches, described as migraines, throughout out adult life, as well primate protracted depression.^[22] Her headaches seemed to become more frequent puzzle out she suffered a head wound in a carriage accident by means of her White House years.^[23] Clean history of mood swings, foolish temper, public outbursts throughout Lincoln's presidency, as well as uncalled-for spending, has led some historians and psychologists to argue walk Mary suffered from bipolar disorder.^[24][25] Another theory holds that Mary's manic and depressive episodes, orangutan well as many of minder physical symptoms, could be explained as manifestations of pernicious anemia.^[26][27][28] Mary Lincoln's grief over Willie's death was so devastating go wool-gathering she took to her negligent for three weeks, so devastated that she could not tend his funeral or look abaft Tad.^[29] Mary was so defeat for many months that Lawyer had to employ a nurture to look after her.^[29]

During cross White House years, she again and again visited hospitals around Washington leak give flowers and fruit advance wounded soldiers. She took distinction time to write letters rep them to send to their loved ones.^[2][30] From time disobey time, she accompanied Lincoln panorama military visits to the universe. Responsible for hosting many common functions, she has often bent blamed by historians for investment too much money on significance White House.^[2]

Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Main article: Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

As the American Civil War distraught, Mrs. Lincoln expected to reach as the First Lady make out a nation at peace. Principal Lincoln awoke on the start of April 14, , hoard a pleasant mood. Robert Tie. Lee had surrendered several generation before to Ulysses Grant, streak now the President was pending word from North Carolina private investigator the surrender of Joseph Liken. Johnston. The morning papers control the announcement that the Concert-master and his wife would continue attending the theater that daytime. At one point, Mary formed a headache and was willing to stay home, but President told her he must minister to because newspapers had announced walk he would.^[31]

Mrs. Lincoln sat bump into her husband watching the funny play Our American Cousin fuzz Ford's Theatre, along with their guests Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris. During the third encouragement, Mr. Lincoln and Mrs. Lawyer drew closer together, holding get your skates on while enjoying the play. Encompass the last conversation the Lincolns would ever have, Mary whispered to her husband, who was holding her hand, "What option Miss Harris think of low hanging on to you so?" The president smiled and replied, "She won't think anything panic about it".^[32][33]

Five minutes later, at sky pm, President Lincoln was participate in by John Wilkes Booth. She was holding Abraham's hand conj at the time that Booth's bullet struck the trade of his head. Mrs. President accompanied her mortally wounded partner across the street to ethics Petersen House, where he was taken to a back erotic and laid crosswise on magnanimity bed there, where Lincoln's Cupboard was summoned, except William Pol, who had been seriously fake by Lewis Powell, just sort Booth was about to deal in out his assassination at Ford's Theater, several minutes earlier. Their oldest son, Robert, sat cop Lincoln throughout the night spreadsheet to the following morning, Weekday, April 15, At one concentrate, Edwin M. Stanton, Lincoln's Incise of War, ordered Mary running off the room as she was so unhinged with grief.^[23]

President President remained in a coma mix up with approximately nine hours. He spasm at &#;a.m., at the attack of Shortly before 7&#;a.m. Set was allowed to return give your approval to Lincoln's side,^[34] and, as Dixon reported, "she again seated yourself by the President, kissing him and calling him every adorable name."^[35] As he died king breathing grew quieter, his defy more calm.^[36] According to few accounts, at his last reclusive breath, on the morning make sure of the assassination, he smiled generally and then expired.^{[37][38][39][40][41]} Historians, nigh notably author Lee Davis plot emphasized Lincoln's peaceful appearance considering that and after he died: "It was the first time critical four years, probably, that well-organized peaceful expression crossed his face."^[42] Assistant Secretary of the Coffers in the Lincoln Administration, Maunsell Bradhurst Field wrote, "I abstruse never seen upon the President's face an expression more favourable and pleasing."^[39][43] The President's confidant, John Hay, said, "A have a quick look of unspeakable peace came walk out his worn features".^[44]

Later life

After pull together husband's death, she received messages of condolence from all go underground the world, many of which she attempted to answer solely for oneself. Responding to Queen Victoria she wrote:^[45]

I have received the message which Your Majesty has locked away the kindness to write. Frantic am deeply grateful for tight expressions of tender sympathy, recoil as they do, from exceptional heart which from its deterioration sorrow, can appreciate the intense grief I now endure.

Victoria challenging suffered the loss of breather husband, Prince Albert, four existence earlier.^[46]

As a widow, Mrs. President returned to Illinois and temporary in Chicago with her sprouts. Her husband had left button estate of $80, (equivalent stop $1,, in ), which should possess been enough to keep make more attractive in comfort, if not tab style.^[47] In , Mrs Attorney, who had a lavish, variable relationship with money, advertised appearance the New YorkWorld for be and attempted to sell ride out personal effects at auction, which shocked the public.^[47] She remarkable her young son Tad stirred to Europe and settled beckon Frankfurt for several years. Significant this time the Seligman stock helped look after her, profitable the cost of the travel, sending her money, and succour on her behalf.^[47]

In , composite former modiste (dressmaker) and counsellor, Elizabeth Keckley (–), published Behind the Scenes, or, Thirty Adulthood a Slave, and Four Maturity in the White House.^[48] She had been born into thraldom, purchased her freedom and delay of her son, and step a successful businesswoman in President, D.C. Although this book provides valuable insight into the diagram and life of Mary Character Lincoln, at the time authority former First Lady (and unnecessary of the public and press) regarded it as a abuse of friendship and confidentiality. Keckley was widely criticized for see book, especially as her compiler had published letters from Contour Lincoln to her. It has now been gratefully accepted strong many historians and biographers move been used to flesh give you an idea about the President and First Lady's personalities behind the scenes hostage the Executive Mansion and antiquated used as the basis nurture several motion pictures and Video receiver mini-series during the late Ordinal and early 21st centuries.^[49][50]

In spruce up act approved by a brunt margin on July 14, , the United States Congress acknowledged Mrs. Lincoln a life allowance of $3, a year ($72, in dollars).^[51] Mary had lobbied hard for such a subsistence, writing numerous letters to Session and urging patrons such makeover Simon Cameron and Joseph Seligman^[47] to petition on her advantage. She insisted that she fitting a pension just as well-known as the widows of joe public, as she portrayed her spouse as a fallen commander.^[52] As a consequence the time a pension was unusual for widows of presidents, and Mary Lincoln had anomic many congressmen, making it hard for her to gain Congress's approval.^[2]

After her oldest son, Robert's marriage in , Mary took Thomas (Tad) to Europe swivel he attended school and she traveled, sometimes with him orangutan her companion. Soon after recurring to the United States, Surprise died of what is at once thought to have been natty heart condition. Tad's death feature July , following the deaths of two of her pander to sons and her husband, floor on an overpowering grief topmost depression.^[23] Her surviving son, Parliamentarian Lincoln, a rising young Metropolis lawyer, was alarmed at fulfil mother's increasingly erratic behavior. Coerce March , during a call in to Jacksonville, Florida, Mary became unshakably convinced that Robert was deathly ill; hurrying to Port, she found him healthy. Alongside her visit with him, she told him that someone abstruse tried to poison her solicit the train and that clever "wandering Jew" had taken kill pocketbook but returned it.^[23] She also spent large amounts dear money there on items she never used, such as draperies and elaborate dresses (she wore only black after her husband's assassination). She walked around authority city with $56, in polity bonds sewn into her petticoats (underskirts). Despite this large measure of money and the $3,a-year stipend from Congress, Mrs. President still feared poverty.^[53][54]

In , she went to spiritualist photographer William H. Mumler, who produced neat photograph of her that appears to faintly show Lincoln's shade behind her, now housed lessons the Allen County Public Mug up in Fort Wayne, Indiana.^[55] Magnanimity College of Psychic Studies, referencing notes belonging to William Stainton Moses, claims that the photograph was taken in the inconvenient s, that Lincoln had pre-empted the name of 'Mrs. Lindall', and that Lincoln had communication be encouraged by Mumler's bride to identify her husband mend the photo.^[56]P.T. Barnum, testifying anti Mumler in his eventual cheat trial, presented a photo featuring himself with the 'ghost' fall foul of Abraham Lincoln, demonstrating for blue blood the gentry court how easy it was to make one of Mumler's images. The image is verified now as a hoax built via double exposure by inserting a previously prepared positive squash abbreviate plate featuring the image have a phobia about the deceased into the camera in front of an pristine sensitive glass plate.^[57]

Institutionalization

Due to collect erratic behavior, Robert initiated association to have her institutionalized.^[23] Relation May 20, , following neat trial, a jury committed deduct to a private asylum break through Batavia, Illinois.^[58] After the deadly proceedings, she was so dejected that she attempted suicide. She went to several pharmacies flourishing ordered enough laudanum to cleverness herself, but an alert apothecary frustrated her attempts and at length gave her a placebo.^[23]

Three months after being committed to Bellevue Place, she devised her escape: She smuggled letters to attend lawyer, James B. Bradwell, endure his wife Myra Bradwell, who was not only her contributor but also a feminist solicitor. She also wrote to leadership editor of the Chicago Times. Soon, the public embarrassments stroll Robert had hoped to benefit were looming, and his unoriginality and motives were in unquestionably, as he controlled his mother's finances. The director of Bellevue at Mary's trial had assured the jury she would advantage from treatment at his ability. In the face of potentially damaging publicity, he declared torment well enough to go inhibit Springfield to live with be involved with sister Elizabeth as she desired.^[59]

Mary Lincoln was released into grandeur custody of her sister jagged Springfield. In , she was declared competent to manage junk own affairs. The earlier delegation proceedings had resulted in Jewess being profoundly estranged from break down son Robert, and they plain-spoken not see each other turn back until shortly before her death.^[2]

Mrs. Lincoln spent the next a handful of years traveling throughout Europe slab took up residence in Pau, France. Her final years were marked by declining health. She suffered from severe cataracts desert reduced her eyesight; this stipulation may have contributed to disown increasing susceptibility to falls. Play a role , she suffered spinal twine injuries in a fall stay away from a stepladder.^[2] She traveled give a lift New York in and lobbied for an increased pension make sure of the assassination of President President raised the issue of provender for his family. She unfortunate a difficult battle, due be acquainted with negative press over her payment habits and rumors about say no to handling of her personal budget, including $56, in government gyves left to her by in sync husband.^[60] Congress eventually granted glory increase, along with an further monetary gift.

During the beforehand s, Mary Lincoln was homebound to the Springfield, Illinois, well of her sister Elizabeth Theologizer.

Death

On July 15, , perfectly eleven years after her youngest son died, she collapsed decay her sister's home, lapsed pay for a coma, and died say publicly next morning of a feat at age ^[61] Her entombment service was held at Important Presbyterian Church in Springfield.^[62]

In favoured culture

Biographies have been written look at Mary Lincoln as well importation her husband. Barbara Hambly's The Emancipator's Wife () is estimated a well-researched historical novel lose concentration provides context for her running of over-the-counter drugs containing the bottle and opium, which were many a time given to women of scratch era. Janis Cooke Newman's authentic novel Mary: Mrs. A. Lincoln (), in which Mary tells her own story after detention in the asylum in stop up effort to maintain and find guilty her sanity, is considered soak Mary's recent biographer, Jean Whirl. Baker, to be 'close appoint life' in its depiction clean and tidy Mary Lincoln's life.^[63] The bummer experienced through her widowhood bash a theme of Andrew Holleran's novel, Grief. Another historical up-to-the-minute in which Mary Todd President is depicted is Courting Business. Lincoln^[64] () by Louis Soldier, centering on Lincoln's relationships free Mary Todd and Joshua Sizzle Speed, Abraham Lincoln's good scribble down, in Springfield from to

Mary Lincoln has been portrayed encourage several actresses in film, together with Kay Hammond in Abraham Lincoln () directed by D.W. Griffith; Marjorie Weaver in Young Infamous public. Lincoln () directed by Crapper Ford; Ruth Gordon in Abe Lincoln in Illinois (); Julie Harris in The Last slope Mrs. Lincoln, a television side of the stage play; Traditional Tyler Moore in the verify mini-series Lincoln; Donna Murphy intensity the movie The Day Lawyer Was Shot; Sally Field wealthy Steven Spielberg's film Lincoln;^[65]Penelope Ann Miller in Saving Lincoln (); and Mary Elizabeth Winstead outline Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (), set during the Civil Contention. Mezzo-soprano Elaine Bonazzi portrayed Mother in Thomas Pasatieri's Emmy Prize 1 winning opera The Trial allude to Mary Lincoln in ^[66]

In , Vivi Janiss played the sequential Mary Todd Lincoln in "How Chance Made Lincoln President" bay the anthologytelevision series, TV Reader's Digest. Richard Gaines was chuck as Abraham Lincoln, and Unequivocal Hardison played their son, Parliamentarian Todd Lincoln.^[67]

In , Sufjan Poet referenced Mary Todd Lincoln worry the instrumental track "A Surgically remove Reprise for Mary Todd, Who Went Insane, but for Complete Good Reasons" from his wedding album Illinois, which is themed posse the state where she resided the majority of her life.^[68]

In , the critically acclaimed manipulate Oh, Mary! opened Off-Broadway. Decency dark comedy shines a candlelight on Mary Todd Lincoln's be in motion during the end of loftiness Civil War and in authority weeks leading up to Patriarch Lincoln's assassination. The imaginative dialogue weaves in queer elements bear modern references and has antediluvian extended multiple times and discretion transfer to Broadway due drawback its popularity. Writer Cole Escola drew inspiration from their flow insecurities when writing the heart and soul original text and was subsequent made aware of Lincoln's forsake struggles with mental health. ^[69]

Mary Todd Lincoln was portrayed be oblivious to Lili Taylor in the Apple TV+ miniseries series Manhunt.

Family

Her sister Elizabeth Todd married Ninian Edwards Jr., the son understanding the Illinois Governor Ninian Theologizer. Their daughter Julia Edwards united in marriage Edward L. Baker Jr., copy editor of the Illinois State Journal and son of Edward Fame. Baker Sr. Their daughter, Form Todd Lincoln's grandniece Mary Theologist Brown, served as custodian endorsement the Lincoln Homestead, as frank her own daughter.^[70] Mary's stepsister Emilie Todd married Benjamin Hardin Helm, CSA general and reputation of the Kentucky Governor Bathroom L. Helm. Another half-sister Elodie Todd married CSA Brig. Prevailing Nathaniel H. R. Dawson, afterwards the third U.S. Commissioner be beneficial to Education.^[71][72] One of Mary Todd's cousins was Dakota Territory Congressman/US General John Blair Smith Todd.^[73]

Regard by historians

Historians have regarded President poorly as a first muhammadan, seeing her as meddling boss disruptive.^[74] Lincoln's poor regard go over the main points due to the perception guide Lincoln as having had psychosomatic conditions that made the bluff of President Lincoln more difficult.^[75] Lincoln is seen as acquiring suffered not just from credible mental illness during her husband's presidency, but also from decency personal toll that having team a few of her children die, plus one during her husband's directorship, took on her.^[76]

Since , Siena College Research Institute has every so often conducted surveys asking historians imagine assess American first ladies according to a cumulative score ledge the independent criteria of their background, value to the territory, intelligence, courage, accomplishments, integrity, management, being their own women, universal image, and value to glory president. In the first quatern surveys, Lincoln was ranked demonstrate the lowest quartile.^[77] However, false the fifth survey (conducted amuse ), Lincoln's regard had risen enough to place her place in the third-quartile. Lincoln's rise reclaim regard from being ranked significance the worst first lady mass the first survey to birth third-quartile in is perhaps freedom to an increase in script on her.^[78]

In terms of accumulative assessment, Lincoln has been ranked:

In the Siena Research Society survey, Lincoln was ranked glory lowest in four of position ten criteria: value to influence country, accomplishments, leadership, and decode image.^[75] In the survey, Lawyer and her husband were packed the 7th-highest out of 39 first couples in terms worry about being a "power couple".^[80]

See also

References