Mary Todd Lincoln Biography, Accomplishments, & Facts
Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882) was the wife of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. She was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on December 13, 1818, to a prominent family.
Her father, Robert Todd, was a wealthy merchant and politician, and her mother, Eliza Parker Todd, was from an equally well-to-do family. Mary had six siblings, and her family was well-known in Kentucky for their social status and political connections.
Mary grew up in a comfortable home and received a good education. She was sent to finishing school in 1836 and later attended Madame Mantelle’s boarding school in Philadelphia. She became fluent in French and enjoyed reading and studying literature. Mary was known for her wit and charm, and she was considered one of the most eligible young women in Kentucky.
In 1839, Mary moved to Springfield, Illinois, to live with her sister, Elizabeth Todd Edwards. There she met a young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln, and they were married on November 4, 1842. Mary and Abraham had four sons, but only one survived to adulthood, Robert Todd Lincoln. Their first son, Edward, died at the age of four, while Willie and Tad both died during their father’s presidency.
During her time as First Lady, Mary was often criticized by the press for her extravagant spending and her perceived interference in her husband’s presidency. She was also criticized for her strong Southern sympathies during the Civil War, as she was originally from a slaveholding state.
Despite the criticism, Mary was deeply devoted to her husband and supported him throughout his presidency. She was known for her love of politics and often attended meetings with her husband. Mary was also interested in social causes and worked to improve conditions for wounded soldiers during the Civil War.
Mary’s time as First Lady was also marked by personal tragedy. In 1862, her beloved son Willie died of typhoid fever, and Mary was devastated by the loss. She became increasingly erratic in her behavior and spent large sums of money on clothes and jewelry. Mary’s behavior drew criticism from many people, and some even suggested that she was mentally unstable.
On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Mary was with him at the time of the shooting, and she was deeply traumatized by the event. She became increasingly unstable and was often seen weeping in public. Mary’s mental health continued to deteriorate, and she was eventually committed to a sanatorium by her son, Robert.
After her husband’s death, Mary moved to Europe with her son Robert, where she sought treatment for her mental health issues. She spent time in Germany and France, and she also visited England and Italy. Mary was known for her love of fashion, and she often wore extravagant clothing during her time in Europe. Despite her attempts to improve her mental health, Mary never fully recovered from the trauma of her husband’s death, and she suffered from depression and anxiety for the rest of her life.
Mary returned to the United States in 1871 and spent the rest of her life in relative seclusion. She lived in several different cities, including Chicago and Springfield, Illinois. Mary was often criticized for her behavior and was seen as a burden by many of her relatives. She also faced financial difficulties and was forced to sell many of her possessions to make ends meet.
Mary Todd Lincoln died on July 16, 1882, at the age of 63, in Springfield, Illinois. She was buried beside her husband in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Despite her troubled life, Mary is remembered as a woman of intelligence and charm, who was deeply devoted to her husband and her family.
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