Mary's Reputation

[Donna McCreary]

Laurie, that is an excellent question, and I would enjoy reading how others respond to it. I am not as well schooled on the subject of Mary Harlan as I should be. However, I offer this quote from a letter written by Mary Harlan Lincoln to Katherine Helm in 1924:

"When you read the enclosed articles about the re-arrangement of portraits of "First Ladies" at the White House, you will agree with me, that it is quite important that we should be on hand Early, with the dear Aunt Mary portrait, so that our First Lady will be properly cared for -- We must see to it that the portrait has the prominent position it deserves, both on accounts of the illustrious lady, and the artist."

and this one, from a letter written in 1925:

"I have not read the article in Harpers about "Aunt Mary" yet. I will wait until I can have you to talk it over with. Mr. Towers did not (like) the tone of it at all, and hopes to have justice done her, while we are here to see to it."

The portrait mentioned in the letter is the one which currently hangs in the Lincoln bedroom. It was painted by Katherine Helm and was a gift to the White House by the Robert Lincoln family. No matter how Robert and his wife felt about his mother during her lifetime, by the last years of theirs, they were doing everything possible to create a positive image and legacy for her.