The True Mary Lincoln by Betty Ellison

[Susan Higginbotham]

Speaking of Mary Lincoln biographies...in 100 Essential Lincoln Books (2003) author Mike Burkhimer writes the following regarding Jean Baker's book (1987):

"This is the best biography of Mary Todd Lincoln."

I am curious how folks feel. Jean Baker's book was written 30 years ago. Is it the best biography of Mary Lincoln ever written? Does anyone on the forum think there is a better one?

I think it is the best--but it needs to be supplemented with Catherine Clinton's biography, with Jennifer Fleischner's joint biography of Mary and Elizabeth Keckly, and with Jason Emerson's books about Mary. I think there's a need for a new scholarly biography of Mary.