Mary Todd Lincoln

2003-5-17 07:00:00

Paul wrote:
I also know little about Abraham Lincoln....just that he's the second most well known president after George Washington. I heard that his wife was mentally ill. Having grown up with a schizophrenic mother - I know the strength of character my father has had to have over the years in taking on that burden. Not everyone can do that. I'm sure in many cases the family falls apart and the person winds up in a mental institution or on the streets. Needless to say, I've grown enormously from the experience. But - hats off to Abraham Lincoln for leading a civic life and possessing the strength and necessary detachment to support and love a mentally ill person. Can you confirm if this is correct JJ or anyone?

JJ:
It is interesting that many historians call Lincoln our greatest President whereas, on the other hand, they call his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, the worst First Lady. She even wanted to be called Mrs. President.

Actually, she performed a great service. The first entity who was in the Lincoln body was miserable in his marriage to her and arranged to travel out of town as much as possible in his work just to get away from her. He made many friends who later supported his entry into politics. With his failed efforts in his career and a depressing marriage, he took the deal from the disciple who became Lincoln as President. The walk-in Lincoln felt that handling an unstable woman was worth it because of the importance of the job to be performed.

She did even test his patience. Just to give you an example... One time they were at a dinner with many dignitaries and he said or did something to upset her and she threw a plate in his face and started screaming at him. He handled it with as much patience as humanly possible, but it had to be embarrassing for him.

Someone asked references for books about Lincoln. I haven't read every book on Lincoln but I know Carl Sandburg's six volume set is the definitive work. You can bid on the whole thing at e-bay at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3520597635&category=29216
There is also a condensed 3 volume set available.

A newer book getting a lot of good press is: A New Birth of Freedom: Abraham Lincoln and the Coming of the Civil War -- by Harry V. Jaffa. You can buy this one at Amazon.com.