Mary's Reputation

[Tom Emery]

Roger, I'm familiar with Dr. Evans' book, and like it as well. I agree -- it really is worth a look.

I think that more needs to be understood / appreciated on Mary's mental state, and I like some of the points Dr. Evans addresses in his work.

Mary's life after Abraham's death was so troubled, that it's just sad. Her last seventeen years of life were a miserable existence.

I think it's unusual that we give so many celebrities a pass because of "mental illness." But it seems that Mary Lincoln never gets that pass, and too few people have any sympathy for her emotional struggles.

Also, so many First Ladies have had such unusual quirks to their personalities or habits. I could go on and on, and I'm sure the rest of you could on that subject, too. But Mary Lincoln gets a harder rap than the rest do.

You probably can see how sympathetic I am to Mary. I know, I know -- historians are supposed to be unbiased. But I just think that Mary Lincoln gets a bad deal.