Robert Todd Lincoln --The vitals

[kerry]

I know Harvard definitely was heavily Unitarian-influenced because of the controversy over Emerson. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divinity_School_Address

He was banned from speaking there after questioning Unitarian beliefs -- not that it stopped him from speaking.

At that time, college was not considered an essential thing; it was basically seen as extravagance, given how many people educated themselves in other ways. I see Lincoln's comments about law school as reflecting that view, and personally I think we need to go back to embracing self-education. It's not for everyone, but it worked well for many people like him for most of human history. In the aftermath of Lincoln's death, several articles mention that Robert had intended to practice law with his father. Lincoln probably would have enjoyed mentoring him. It's very interesting and sad to think how his family would have turned out had he lived.