Robert Todd Lincoln --The vitals

[kerry]

(01-09-2018 06:49 PM)L Verge Wrote:  

(01-09-2018 05:13 PM)kerry Wrote:  Robert was not a giant. His mere competence at being a corporate attorney and ambassador is much more than most could achieve, however. He was of above-average intelligence, had a solid work ethic, was organized, and was able to come across as inoffensive and in line with decorum (however much value you place on these things, a lot of people value them). A lot of that was luck, but some of it seems to be effort. He would never have gotten his position as secretary of war or minister to England without his name; there is no question as to that. But he also did not disqualify himself from either position by any known slip ups or lack of diligence. He clearly made his name using his father's legacy, but I don't think he did it selfishly - I think it is true that others pushed it for him. His legal success seems to have been at least partly due to his own ability and client rapport. Having the firm name Lincoln clearly helped, but that was his name.

I appreciate that reply because it does admit to the fact that much of Robert's claim to fame came as a result of his famous name. I don't think he consciously used that name selfishly either; I think he was just accustomed to it being his ticket into the world.

I also think that he was perfectly happy being a lawyer and that his political appointments were just that - appointments made at the urging of the Republicans to win favor with constituents. At least he was smart enough to repeatedly turn down offers of the Presidency (wonder if the threat of assassination was always in the back of his mind as he turned down the offers).

BTW: We think of him being a very wealthy man, but one source quoted his wealth at time of death as $1 million. In the 1920s, I don't consider this a fortune.

Agreed, and I do think his wealth has been somewhat exaggerated because of his anti-union positions and the contrast with his beginnings etc. Certainly he was wealthy, but it wasn't crazy. Being an attorney is not a ticket to wealth the way people assume - especially now, but even then. It was a fairly reliable way of becoming comfortable, but you are billing by the hour - the hours are limited. You can't accumulate tens of millions. His wealth came from corporate life. That is a far more reliable road to wealth. His government salaries weren't very high. His strongest skill seems to have been as an organizer - multiple times in life boards appointed him to get things in order.