Lincoln and Ann Rutledge

[LincolnToddFan]

As grief stricken as AL undoubtedly was by Ann's death, he was back at his duties as postmaster a month later(Sept 22) and within a year he was pursuing another woman with at least the idea of marriage in mind. That is remarkable behavior for a guy who was supposed to be so devastated at the loss of his love that he was marked for life. Quite the contrary, after a period of brief and intense grief he moved right on along. After he left New Salem for good we hear no stories about him even occasionally slipping back for sentimental visits to the grave of his "greatest love". Not even once.

This is quite the contrast to his behavior when he broke his engagement to Mary Todd. He had a breakdown so severe that he was unable to eat, work or even function. His very life was thought to be in jeopardy, and he was forced to leave town. There was no known pursuit of any other woman during the 18 months they were apart.

So if he was incompatible with Mary, he was quite miserable without her just the same.

I agree with Laurie. The only two people who know the secrets of the Lincoln relationship and marriage are buried together in a tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield Illinois. Their names are Abraham and Mary Lincoln.

Shortly after JFK was assassinated his widow Jacqueline expressed fear that her husband's legacy would be mostly written by "bitter old men" who would distort the truth about him for generations to come.

That statement could have come from Mary Todd Lincoln. Because starting with William Herndon-the quintessential BITTER OLD MAN- that is precisely what happened to Abraham Lincoln.

ETA: Laurie, I very much enjoy Michael Beschloss as an historian. I deeply regret that he did not write the AL biography. I would have read his book, which is more than I can say for Burlingame.