Lincoln Discussion Symposium

Robert doesn't much resemble his father. Looks like he takes after his mother's side of the family.
Anyone know how tall he was?

I've googled for the information and don't find any information on his height / weight. From photographs he looks to be a man of average height for the time --- certainly under 6 feet tall. A little bit on the chunky side in his later years.

In an endnote to "Giant in the Shadows," Jason Emerson notes RTL's height as follows: "Robert's passport application from May 18, 1872, describes him as 5 feet 9½ inches tall with gray eyes and brown hair."

(11-04-2016, 07:17 PM)smbovard Wrote: [ -> ]A little bit on the chunky side in his later years.

Steve, I agree, but still much less than his golfing friend, President Taft. Here he is playing golf (3rd person from left) with Taft (far left).

Makes me wonder if he ever heard: "You don't look like your father."
That could have been frustrating...

Maybe he looked more like a Todd?

(11-04-2016, 09:43 PM)ReignetteC Wrote: [ -> ]In an endnote to "Giant in the Shadows," Jason Emerson notes RTL's height as follows: "Robert's passport application from May 18, 1872, describes him as 5 feet 9½ inches tall with gray eyes and brown hair."

Thanks for sharing this. Robert was a very complex man. There seemed to be a real psychological distance between him and both of his parents. It's almost like he was trying to get away from them all of this life. I thought it was interesting that he made sure that he wouldn't be buried in Springfield (opting for Arlington instead).

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(11-05-2016, 01:03 PM)RJNorton Wrote: [ -> ]

(11-04-2016, 07:17 PM)smbovard Wrote: [ -> ]A little bit on the chunky side in his later years.

Steve, I agree, but still much less than his golfing friend, President Taft. Here he is playing golf (3rd person from left) with Taft (far left).

It must have been quite a workout for Bill Taft to walk 18 holes in those days before golf carts.

(11-05-2016, 03:54 PM)Wild Bill Wrote: [ -> ]Maybe he looked more like a Todd?

Agreed. I have read several authors' view that Robert took more after the Todd line than the Lincoln line. (Please don't ask which authors as I do not remember; I just know I have read this opinion more than once.)

(11-05-2016, 05:38 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote: [ -> ]

(11-05-2016, 01:31 PM)LincolnMan Wrote: [ -> ]Makes me wonder if he ever heard: "You don't look like your father."
That could have been frustrating...

To many, Abraham Lincoln wasn't a beauty icon. I think this more frustrating if your father were...ugh, who is currently considered good-looking? (My mother would always think pf Clark Gable.) I think more frustrating possibly would have been "You aren't like your father".

Eva: you're right- that would've been worse. I bet he heard it a lot.

Sometimes,it is good to not look like your father!

(11-05-2016, 08:38 PM)smbovard Wrote: [ -> ]I thought it was interesting that he made sure that he wouldn't be buried in Springfield (opting for Arlington instead).

It had always been my understanding that Robert Lincoln in fact wanted to be buried in Springfield next to his father. But, that after his death, Robert's wife Mary nixed the idea and had him buried at Arlington instead - making a comment along the lines of how Robert had lived his life in the shadow of his father and that he didn't need to be in his father's shadow in death as well.

(11-09-2016, 08:31 AM)STS Lincolnite Wrote: [ -> ]It had always been my understanding that Robert Lincoln in fact wanted to be buried in Springfield next to his father.

Scott, that is what I have read, also.

(11-09-2016, 08:31 AM)STS Lincolnite Wrote: [ -> ]

(11-05-2016, 08:38 PM)smbovard Wrote: [ -> ]I thought it was interesting that he made sure that he wouldn't be buried in Springfield (opting for Arlington instead).

It had always been my understanding that Robert Lincoln in fact wanted to be buried in Springfield next to his father. But, that after his death, Robert's wife Mary nixed the idea and had him buried at Arlington instead - making a comment along the lines of how Robert had lived his life in the shadow of his father and that he didn't need to be in his father's shadow in death as well.

You're quite right. Robert expressed a desire to be buried in Springfield. I am not sure now where I got the idea that he didn't. I went looking around for information and there is also quite a bit out there that would indicate that Robert was closer to his father than Steven Spielberg would have us believe.

BTW, the picture of RTL golfing with WHT, my grandfather was President Taft's caddy at the Chevy Chase Club.

(11-22-2016, 08:08 PM)Jim Garrett Wrote: [ -> ]BTW, the picture of RTL golfing with WHT, my grandfather was President Taft's caddy at the Chevy Chase Club.

I thought he swore off hanging out with presidents after McKinley's assassination.

(11-22-2016, 08:08 PM)Jim Garrett Wrote: [ -> ]BTW, the picture of RTL golfing with WHT, my grandfather was President Taft's caddy at the Chevy Chase Club.

You sure have a rich family history, Jim. Did I hear there's a few CSA Generals in there, too?

I think the picture of RTL and Taft was taken at the Ekwanok Golf Club in Manchester, Vt. on one of Taft's visits to Hildene. RTL was President of the club. It's still there on the main drag on Rt. 7A.