I Mary

[Rob Wick]

Gene,

You're likely correct, but given the name recognition that James Randall enjoyed during his lifetime, and the amount of money that Ruth made from her books after James died partly because of that reputation (she endowed the James G. Randall Distinguished Professorship in U.S. History at the U of I with the proceeds) that's not good enough of an excuse (at least in my way of thinking). All added to the poor reputation that Herndon had during James' life time and after, due in large part to both the Randalls (don't forget, it was Ruth who likely wrote the Ann Rutledge chapter in Randall's Lincoln the President series). She has to be held to a higher standard.

Also, even though James noted that Sandburg didn't write for academics but rather popular readers, that didn't stop him from criticizing Sandburg (and other popular writers) for not including citations of sources. If he was being fair, and she wasn't his wife, he would be obligated (again, at least in my mind) to criticize her approach.

Just a note. The bulk of her papers are actually located at the Library of Congress where James' papers are located. There are some letters in the University of Illinois Archives, but they're more of a scattershot nature. Wayne Temple told me that after Randall's death, he was going through Randall's papers with the idea they would be donated to the U of I, but David Donald interceded with Ruth telling her that James wanted his papers to go to the Library of Congress, which she granted. Only a few boxes (seven to be exact) made it to the University of Illinois. It was a decision that befuddled many of Randall's friends. I remember reading a letter from Harry Pratt to Sandburg that questioned why the papers went to the LOC.

You should read James and Ruth's letters that chronicle their love and devotion for each other. They're quite steamy.

https://www.loc.gov/item/mm78037226/

Best
Rob