The Mary Lincoln Enigma

by Williams, Frank J.; Burkhimer, Michael; Clinton, Catherine (AFT)

• ISBN13: 9780809331246
• ISBN10: 0809331241
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-06-29
• Publisher: Southern Illinois Univ Pr

Summary

Mary Lincoln is a lightning rod for controversy. Stories reveal widely different interpretations, and it is impossible to write a definitive version of her life that will suit everyone. The thirteen engaging essays in this collection introduce Mary Lincoln's complex nature and show how she is viewed today. The authors' explanations of her personal and private image stem from a variety of backgrounds, and through these lenses-history, theater, graphic arts, and psychiatry-they present their latest research and assessments. Here they reveal the effects of familial culture and society on her life and give a broader assessment of Mary Lincoln as a woman, wife, and mother. Topics include Mary's childhood in Kentucky, the early years of her marriage to Abraham, Mary's love of travel and fashion, the presidential couple's political partnership, and Mary's relationship with her son Robert. The fascinating epilogue meditates on Mary Lincoln's universal appeal and her enigmatic personality, showcasing the dramatic differences in interpretations. With gripping prose and in-depth documentation, this anthology will capture the imagination of all readers.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
There's Something about Mary: Mary Lincoln and Her Siblings	p. 14
Mary Lincoln, Race, and Slavery	p. 36
Life at Eighth and Jackson	p. 60
"An Unladylike Profession": Mary Lincoln's Preparation for Greatness	p. 82
William H. Herndon and Mary Todd Lincoln	p. 112
"I Am so Fond of Sightseeing": Mary Lincoln's Travels Up to 1865	p. 140
Fashion Plate or Trendsetter?	p. 186
The Reports of the Lincolns' Political Partnership Have Been Greatly Exaggerated	p. 219
A Psychiatrist Looks at Mary Lincoln	p. 237
"I Miss Bob, so Much": Mary Lincoln's Relationship with her Oldest Son	p. 259
Mary Lincoln among the Novelists: Fictional Interpretations of the First Lady	p. 281
"I Look Too Stern": Mary Lincoln and her Image in the Graphic Arts	p. 305
Epilogue: The Compelling Mrs. Lincoln	p. 349
Contributors	p. 367
Index	p. 369
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