Who is this lady?

[Anita]

Ruth Painter Randall ?

[RJNorton]

I am sorry that none of the guesses so far have been correct.

Hint #2: She lived during the 20th century.

[Steve]

The novelist, Taylor Caldwell?

[RJNorton]

I am sorry, Steve, but it's not Taylor Caldwell.

[RJNorton]

Hint #3: Her husband was a well-known short story writer, poet, and novelist.

[Anita]

Rosemary Benet! She wrote the poem "Nancy Hanks."

[RJNorton]

Congratulations, Anita! You are correct.

NANCY HANKS

If Nancy Hanks
Came back as a ghost,
Seeking news
Of what she loved most,
She'd ask first
"Where's my son?
What's happened to Abe?
What's he done?"

"Poor little Abe,
Left all alone
Except for Tom,
Who's a rolling stone;
He was only nine
The year I died.
I remember still
How hard he cried."

"Scraping along
In a little shack,
With hardly a shirt
To cover his back,
And a prairie wind
To blow him down,
Or pinching times
If he went to town."

"You wouldn't know
About my son?
Did he grow tall?
Did he have fun?
Did he learn to read?
Did he get to town?
Do you know his name?
Did he get on?"

[Anita]

This poem is "hauntingly" beautiful. I wonder what Lincoln would say is a poem about his mother.

[RJNorton]

Who is this?

[STS Lincolnite]

Jean Baker?

[RJNorton]

Right on, Scott!! Indeed it is Jean H. Baker, author of Mary Todd Lincoln - A Biography.

[RJNorton]

Who is this lady?

[RJNorton]

Hint#1: She has been mentioned previously on this forum.

[Rob Wick]

An older Clara Barton.

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

You nailed it, Rob! Kudos.