Lincoln Discussion Symposium

WHO AND TO WHOM?

"My little man, I am making a strange wish for you. It is that you may never be President of the United States."

(07-11-2013 10:23 AM)Joe Di Cola Wrote: [ -> ]WHO AND TO WHOM?

"My little man, I am making a strange wish for you. It is that you may never be President of the United States."

President Grover Cleveland, to a very young FDR. If you want to read the sordid side of Cleveland's life and career, read "A Secret Life" by Charles Lachman.

(07-11-2013 10:47 AM)Houmes Wrote: [ -> ]

(07-11-2013 10:23 AM)Joe Di Cola Wrote: [ -> ]WHO AND TO WHOM?

"My little man, I am making a strange wish for you. It is that you may never be President of the United States."

President Grover Cleveland, to a very young FDR. If you want to read the sordid side of Cleveland's life and career, read "A Secret Life" by Charles Lachman.

Great job--and quick, too.

(07-11-2013 09:53 AM)RJNorton Wrote: [ -> ]I am sorry, Joe, but it wasn't her, either. (Help Laurie - should it be 'it wasn't she' rather than 'it wasn't her?')

"It wasn't she." You are using a form of the infinitive "to be."

Thanks, Laurie.

Hint #1: This First Lady was born in Savannah, Georgia. Her husband was born in Virginia.

(07-11-2013 10:09 AM)RJNorton Wrote: [ -> ]Nope, Gene, not her either.

Three guesses: Dolley Madison, Mrs. Cleveland, or Mrs. Harding???

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(07-11-2013 11:09 AM)L Verge Wrote: [ -> ]

(07-11-2013 10:09 AM)RJNorton Wrote: [ -> ]Nope, Gene, not her either.

Three guesses: Dolley Madison, Mrs. Cleveland, or Mrs. Harding???

Changed my mind: The first Mrs. Woodrow Wilson (I think her name was Ellen?).

Brilliant - you got it, Laurie. Gene was so close when he guessed Edith Wilson.

Ellen Axson Wilson wrote that quote in a letter to her husband on March 10, 1890.

Ellen Axson Wilson died in the White House. This made me wonder how many people have actually died in the White House. I do not know if this list is complete or not, but I found this list on the web:

1841 - William Henry Harrison (President)
1842 - Letitia Tyler (First Lady)
1850 - Zachary Taylor (President)
1862 - Willie Lincoln (President's son)
1873 - Frederick Dent (President Grant's father-in-law)
1892 - Caroline Harrison (First Lady)
1914 - Ellen Wilson (First Lady)

One of our presidents spoke to a convention of farmers and used a certain word in his speech. The First Lady was then asked why she couldn't get her husband to use a more "polite" word. She responded:

"Good Lord! It's taken me years to get him to say the word manure!"

Which First Lady was this?

Bess Truman.

Best
Rob

Correct, Rob. That was quick!

I've read that quote before somewhere (maybe in McCullough's biography) but it just sounded like it would be about HST.

Best
Rob

Which U.S. President served as a Congressman AFTER his term as the Chief Executive was ended?

John Quincy Adams.

Best
Rob

Rob, you're too smart! LOL.

Bill,

I know a few teachers who would quickly disagree with that.

Best
Rob