Lincoln Discussion Symposium

Mary Ann Todd first met Abraham Lincoln at a ball in Springfield in 1839.

When she first saw Lincoln at the ball what were her first 4 words?

(07-05-2012 05:12 AM)rjnorton Wrote: [ -> ]Mary Ann Todd first met Abraham Lincoln at a ball in Springfield in 1839.

When she first saw Lincoln at the ball what were her first 4 words?

I think I will just give the answer to this one. It's in a book I own
entitled Mary: Wife of Lincoln by her niece Katherine Helm (New York, Harper & Brothers, 1928).

Mary was at a cotillion in 1839, and she saw Abraham for the first time.

"Who is that man?" she asked with some excitement in her voice, losing for the moment her little Southern drawl. She had already divined that he must be the much talked of Lincoln."

(07-05-2012 06:05 PM)rjnorton Wrote: [ -> ]

(07-05-2012 05:12 AM)rjnorton Wrote: [ -> ]Mary Ann Todd first met Abraham Lincoln at a ball in Springfield in 1839.

When she first saw Lincoln at the ball what were her first 4 words?

I think I will just give the answer to this one. It's in a book I own
entitled Mary: Wife of Lincoln by her niece Katherine Helm (New York, Harper & Brothers, 1928).

Mary was at a cotillion in 1839, and she saw Abraham for the first time.

"Who is that man?" she asked with some excitement in her voice, losing for the moment her little Southern drawl. She had already divined that he must be the much talked of Lincoln."

Thanks, Roger. I didn't find the answer but in researching it I found The Courtship of Mr. Lincoln by Ruth Painter Randall on Archive.org which gives an interesting account of Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln's very different backgrounds.

http://www.archive.org/stream/courtshipo...p_djvu.txt

She asked: "Who is that man?"- and countless others have asked that question since. Once you think you know Lincoln-you realize you don't really know him.

Shoot Roger, I was going to answer "He loved Ann Rutledge?"

Best
Rob

Regarding Ann, there is a book I have called "The Shadows Rise" by John Evangelist Walsh. Walsh cites Douglas Wilson's research among 24 New Salem residents who were contacted by Herndon. Although memories were obviously wavering after the passage of time, 22 of the 24 according to Wilson were favorable to the question, "Did Lincoln love or court Ann Rutledge?" I am one of those who believes in the romance.

I may have been influenced by my 4th grade teacher at Holmes School in Oak Park, Illinois. She talked a lot about Ann Rutledge. She felt Ann was the most beautiful, wonderful, perfect girl in all of Illinois. She basically taught the class that Ann was bigger than life. The effect that teacher had on me still shows today in my beliefs.

But I also happen to believe Abe loved Mary just as much; I do not believe Ann was his only love.

Isn't it amazing the impact a good teacher can have on our lives?
For those of you who taught, thanks! You will never fully know the postive influence you have made. (except speling teachers)