Madness of Mary Lincoln

[L Verge]

I have often wondered how much influence Robert's wife had on his decisions regarding his mother. I am not widely read on Mr. & Mrs. Robert Todd Lincoln, but I get a sense that his wife could be a handful too -- such as grabbing the children and going home to her parents when there was a disagreement?? I'm sure that his mother's behavior was a thorn in Mary Harlan's side also.

And, I made a point to someone a long time ago that men are not raised (especially prior to the mid-1900s) to be the nurturing nursemaids of the family. Robert appears to have been rather stiff and self-centered to me, and I would question his mental and emotional capacity for dealing with the likes of an uncooperative female.