Pre Gilded Age Lincoln
Mary Todd's Obsession
To Be First Lady
Mary Todd's Obsession
To Be First Lady
The Short
Mary Todd Lincoln had waited 20 long years for this day. Since childhood, she had dreamed of being the first lady of the U.S.
One day in Lexington Ky, 7yr old Mary Todd jumped into the lap of a presidential hopeful Henry Clay and exclaimed “Mr. Clay, when you become president I will marry you.”
Sitting behind her husband as he gave his inaugural speech in 1861, she thought back to her youth in Lexington.and her choosing of Lincoln over Stephen A. Douglas, a much more likely candidate for to be a future president than Lincoln.
Ironically, also sitting in the inaugural stands was Douglas, the defeated presidential candidate.
Mary Todd grew up in a well to do family in Lexington KY. As a precocious 7 year old she was looking to her future, particularly politics.
Perhaps, when you live down the street from a major political force like Henry Clay and your father was involved with local then state politics along with having 3 older sisters (one of which would marry the son of an Illinois governor), it is understandable.
Yet, her declaration made on the lap of Henry Clay who would be running again for U.S. president is remarkable. “When you become president, I will marry you.”
Mary Todd would go one to become an educated, beautiful young lady.’
What’s even more amazing is choosing Abraham Lincoln to be her husband over Stephan A. Douglas.
Abraham Lincoln was just a country lawyer with
no education and certainly no money.
Whereas Stephan A. Douglas had education, money, and had political office.
When Lincoln had second thoughts about marrying, Douglas stepped in to ask Mary Todd for her hand.
Mary Todd, politely but firmly, said “no” to Douglas’ offer. She probably didn’t even think twice.
Although, one wonders if she did a few years later after marrying Lincoln. In Lexington, she lived very well. In her early years of marriage, she had no servants, lived in a cold drafty house, and certainly couldn’t afford much on Lincoln’s salary.
She must have felt things would turn around when Lincoln won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Mary Todd undoubtedly thought she would be part of Washington’s social scene.
But that was not to be for two reasons: Mary had to take care of 6 year old Robert and Lincoln was constantly away working.
Finally, Mary couldn’t take it anymore and left for her family home in Lexington, KY.
Fast forward to March 1861. Lincoln was giving his inauguration speech in Washington while Mary, sitting behind Lincoln, was beaming!
She had finally, after 20 long years, had fulfilled her destiny. She was now the First Lady of the U.S.
As she looked over Lincoln’s shoulder, she noticed Stephen A Douglas sitting in the stands with his young wife.
Mary Todd felt vindicated on so many levels, especially having been second guessed for choosing Lincoln over Douglas.
Interesting that Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, both from Illinois and both who sought Mary Todd Lincoln as a marriage partner, ran against each other for president in the 1860 election.
Pre Gilded Age Lincoln