Mary Lincoln Extra Credit Questions

[RJNorton]

Hint #2: He has written books on Mary Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln, and Robert Lincoln.

[Gene C]

(10-29-2022 09:07 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Hint #2: He has written books on Mary Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln, and Robert Lincoln.

Jason Emerson ?

[RJNorton]

Bingo, Gene! IMO, Jason has attempted (in his books) to be reasonably balanced in his coverage of Mary. Not all good, not all bad. I did not think he would change. I was surprised to read that he now seems to be more in agreement with Burlingame's negativity toward Mary than he used to be.

Source of Jason Emerson's review: The Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Fall, 2022.

[Amy L.]

I have not and will not read this Burlingame book, but I read that the author blames Mary Lincoln for her husband's death. Come on. That's too much, it cannot be taken seriously. Such accusations make the book seem like an axe grinder.

[Eva Elisabeth]

(10-30-2022 04:00 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Bingo, Gene! IMO, Jason has attempted (in his books) to be reasonably balanced in his coverage of Mary. Not all good, not all bad. I did not think he would change. I was surprised to read that he now seems to be more in agreement with Burlingame's negativity toward Mary than he used to be.

Source of Jason Emerson's review: The Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Fall, 2022.

Truth to be told I found his "The Madness of Mary Lincoln" totally as negative as Burlingame (pro-Robert, anti-Mary past century male attitude). The title alone speaks for itself.

[mbgross]

(11-06-2022 08:42 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  

(10-30-2022 04:00 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Bingo, Gene! IMO, Jason has attempted (in his books) to be reasonably balanced in his coverage of Mary. Not all good, not all bad. I did not think he would change. I was surprised to read that he now seems to be more in agreement with Burlingame's negativity toward Mary than he used to be.

Source of Jason Emerson's review: The Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Fall, 2022.

Truth to be told I found his "The Madness of Mary Lincoln" totally as negative as Burlingame (pro-Robert, anti-Mary past century male attitude). The title alone speaks for itself.

I agree completely. The term "madness" was last used in the medical field as an acceptable term around 1825. It only added to the circus like freak show atmosphere, that has always, unfortunately, surrounded Mrs. Lincoln.

[RJNorton]

No googling please.

In a letter written after the assassination Mary mentioned her husband's rencontre. To what event in Abraham Lincoln's life was she referring?

[Rogerm]

"Rencontre" is the French word for "meeting." So, she must have been referring to some important meeting that Lincoln had with someone.

[RJNorton]

You are on the right track, Roger. What was the nature of the "meeting?"

[AussieMick]

Was it connected with Willie Lincoln, after Willie's death ?

[Anita]

Did this meeting take place while Lincoln was President?

[RJNorton]

Michael and Anita...no, the "meeting" took place during Lincoln's Illinois years.

[Anita]

Was it when he first met Mary Owens in New Salem at the request of Mary's sister? I forget the sister's name but she was hoping the two would become engaged.

[Susan Higginbotham]

The near-duel he had?

[RJNorton]

Good try, Anita, but congrats to Susan. Yes, it was a reference to the near-duel. In a letter to author Josiah G. Holland she complimented him on his work and mentioned her husband's "foolish and uncalled for rencontre with Gen. Shields."