Lincoln & Herndon

[Angela]

(07-08-2014 09:12 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  I don't know why - I find her somehow a fascinating "figure" (in combination with A.L.). She always believed in her husband's political success (and that he would be president one day), even when his career seemed to stagnate. She married him rather than an illustrious candidate like Douglas, although it meant she had to give up her previous comfortable lifestyle and was sort of "dissed" by her family. I think she had her share in A. L.'s political career, even if only due to her encouragement. She travelled Europe and lived there as a single woman (Tad was not adult then), not many women were brave to do such. She was not a smooth character, one of those people either liked or hated, but in any case had a strong opinion of. In many ways I think she was just ahead of her times. Who would nowadays fuss about her clothes sales or mania for shopping - as many female VIP's do this?

It's funny how I read the things that you mention above in a different light. Which in itself is a really interesting obervation to me. We read the same historical facts and yet judge them differently. No wonder, many facts are subject to debate when it comes to history.

But as an example, I had never thought she gave up a more illustrious candidate with Douglas. I thought she simply was a very good judge of character, picking the guy who in her eyes had more chances on the presidency one day, this being her self declared goal.

As a partner to Lincoln I found her never very interesting because she did not reflect his character in any way I can see or seemed inspired by him. This is why I never started any reading on her with 16.000 books on the main character floating around.

But - I'm taking notes. Thank you as well, Gene!