Mary Todd Lincoln

Hello, my name is Mary Todd, and I'd like to share my story with you. I was born on December 13th, 1818, into a large, well-known family in Lexington, Kentucky. Life in the early 1800s was very different, especially for girls, but my family believed in the importance of learning. Unlike many young women of my time, I received an excellent education at a boarding school where I studied literature, French, and social graces. I absolutely loved to read everything I could get my hands on. More than anything, I was fascinated by politics. I followed the news and could discuss the great issues of the day for hours, which often surprised the adults around me. This passion for the world of government and ideas would stay with me my entire life.

In 1839, when I was twenty years old, I moved to Springfield, Illinois, to live with my older sister, Elizabeth. Springfield was the new state capital and a bustling, exciting place filled with ambitious young people. I enjoyed society and was considered quite popular at the many parties and dances. It was in this lively setting that I met a lawyer named Abraham Lincoln. He was tall, thoughtful, and had a wonderfully witty sense of humor. We came from very different backgrounds—I from a wealthy, established family and he from the humble frontier. Despite these differences, we connected deeply over our shared love of poetry and a powerful ambition for the future. Our courtship had its challenges, but we knew we were meant for each other, and we were married on November 4th, 1842.

Abraham and I built our life together in a cozy home in Springfield. Our family grew, and we were blessed with four wonderful sons: Robert, Eddie, Willie, and Tad. Our home was always filled with their energy and laughter. However, our life was not without deep sorrow. In 1850, our sweet son Eddie passed away from illness just before his fourth birthday, a grief that is impossible to describe. Through our personal joys and sorrows, I remained Abraham's biggest supporter in his political career. I believed in his intelligence and integrity completely. I hosted political gatherings and offered him advice. I watched with immense pride as he served in the U.S. Congress and later engaged in his famous debates against Stephen Douglas in 1858. Those debates on the issue of slavery made him known all across the country and set the stage for his future.

In 1860, Abraham was elected the 16th President of the United States. Moving into the White House in 1861 was the fulfillment of a dream, but it came at a terrifying time. The country was breaking apart over the issue of slavery, and the Civil War began just weeks after we arrived. As First Lady during this crisis, I felt it was my duty to ensure the White House stood as a symbol of the Union's strength and endurance. The mansion had fallen into disrepair, so I worked tirelessly to restore it to a state of dignity. Beyond the White House walls, I dedicated myself to the war effort. I spent countless hours visiting wounded soldiers in Washington's hospitals, bringing them flowers, fruits, and other treats. I would sit with them, listen to their stories, and write letters to their families for those who could not.

Life in Washington during the war was filled with constant stress and sadness. The nation's suffering was a heavy weight, and it soon struck our family directly. In 1862, our dear eleven-year-old son Willie died from a fever, right there in the White House. The grief was almost too much to bear for both me and my husband. When the long, terrible war finally came to an end in April of 1865, there was a moment of great relief and hope for the future of our reunited nation. We looked forward to a time of peace. Just five days after the war's end, on the evening of April 14th, 1865, we went to Ford's Theatre to see a play. That night, my beloved husband was taken from me and from the nation. In an instant, my world, and the world of our country, was shattered.

The years that followed my husband's death were very difficult, shadowed by my deep grief and the loss of three of my four sons. I traveled and worked to protect Abraham's memory and ensure his legacy as the savior of the Union was properly honored. I lived to be 63 years old, passing away on July 16th, 1882, in the very same house in Springfield where Abraham and I had begun our married life so many years before. I hope I am remembered not just for the tragedies I faced, but as an intelligent and well-educated woman who loved her family fiercely. I was a devoted First Lady who supported the Union during its darkest hour and a person who endured great personal loss with strength and resilience.