Lincoln and Ann Rutledge

[Thomas Thorne]

The pre Herndom material cited by many convinces me that the Ann Rutledge story is true.

Whether or not Ann represented Lincoln's "one true love" as demanded by Victorian romanticism is difficult to prove. Given the large numbers of 19th century second marriages among younger persons, the concept of a Mary Todd wallowing in unhappiness over Abe's eternal devotion to the departed Anne, may not be such a frequent event that it discouraged people marrying for the first time people who were widows or widowers.

If the Victorian ideal of perpetual widowhood was as powerful as is supposed, its most famous examplar, Queen Victoria, could hardly have set an example for young Mr. Lincoln. Prince Albert died in 1861. Lincoln married Mary Todd in 1842.
Tom