The Lincolns Portrait Of Marriage - A Timeless Love Story

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is widely revered for his leadership during one of the most tumultuous periods in American history. However, behind every great man is a remarkable woman, and in the case of Lincoln, that woman was his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. Theirs is a story of resilience, love, and tragedy – a portrait of marriage that has captivated generations.

The Early Years

Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln first crossed paths in Springfield, Illinois in 1839. It was a fateful meeting that would change their lives forever. Mary, a passionate and intelligent young woman, quickly caught Lincoln's eye with her wit and beauty. Despite their different upbringings – Lincoln from a humble background, and Mary brought up in wealth – their connection was immediate.

The couple faced numerous obstacles on their journey to matrimony. Their engagement was broken off once, primarily due to financial concerns and Mary's increasing instability. Yet, their love prevailed, and they eventually married on November 4, 1842.

The Lincolns: Portrait of a Marriage

by Daniel Mark Epstein (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1765 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	586 pages

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A House Divided

As Lincoln's political career gained momentum, so did the strain on their marriage. They were often separated due to his commitments in the Illinois legislature and later the U.S. Congress. Mary struggled with loneliness and feelings of abandonment, while Lincoln battled with what he believed to be the inadequacies of his position.

Despite these challenges, Mary remained a devoted and supportive wife. She continued to champion her husband's political aspirations, even during the most difficult times. Mary's strength, coupled with Lincoln's unwavering belief in her, allowed their marriage to weather the storm.

The White House Years

When Lincoln assumed office as President in 1861, he brought Mary to the White House. It was a time marked by great turmoil as the nation was torn apart by civil war. The weight of the country's burdens fell heavily on Lincoln's shoulders, but he found solace in his relationship with Mary.

Mary, though often criticized for her extravagant spending and occasional outbursts, stood as a pillar of strength beside her husband. She provided him with unwavering emotional support, acting as his confidante and offering advice during the darkest days of the war.

A Heartbreaking Tragedy

On April 15, 1865, just days after the end of the Civil War, tragedy struck the Lincoln family. President Lincoln was assassinated while attending a play at Ford's Theatre. The loss devastated Mary, who was already tormented by personal losses, including the deaths of three of their four sons.

Mary's emotional stability was shattered. She became increasingly erratic, and rumors of her mental illness circulated. She was eventually committed to a mental institution but was released after several months. Despite her own struggles, she remained steadfast in preserving her husband's legacy.

A Lasting Legacy

The Lincolns' marriage was marked by both love and hardships. Their unwavering commitment to each other through times of immense pressure and personal tragedy is a testament to the strength of their bond.

Today, the Lincolns' portrait of marriage continues to inspire. Their story serves as a reminder that even amidst the darkest of times, love and resilience can prevail. It is a timeless love story that reminds us of the power of unity and the enduring spirit of the human heart.

The Lincolns' portrait of marriage is a poignant reminder that love knows no boundaries. Their story exemplifies the strength that can be found in a united partnership, even in the face of immense challenges. As we reflect on their legacy, may their love inspire us to seek a deeper connection in our own relationships and embrace the power of unwavering support.

The Lincolns: Portrait of a Marriage

by Daniel Mark Epstein (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1765 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	586 pages

FREE

The first full-length portrait of the marriage of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln in more than fifty years, The Lincolns is a fascinating new work of American history by Daniel Mark Epstein, an award-winning biographer and poet known for his passionate understanding of the Civil War period.

Although the private lives of political couples have in our era become front-page news, the true story of this extraordinary and tragic first family has never been fully told. The Lincolns eclipses earlier accounts with riveting new information that makes husband and wife, president and first lady, come alive in all their proud accomplishments and earthy humanity.

Epstein gives a fresh close-up view of the couple’s life in Springfield, Illinois (of their twenty-two years of marriage, all but six were spent there). We witness the troubled courtship of an aristocratic and bewitching Southern belle and a struggling young lawyer who concealed his great ambition with self-deprecating humor; the excitement and confusion of the newlyweds as they begin their marriage in a small room above a tavern, and the early signs of Mary’s instability and Lincoln’s moodiness; their joyful creation of a home on the edge of town as Lincoln builds his law practice and makes his first forays into politics. We discover their consuming ambition as Lincoln achieves celebrity status during his famed debates with Stephen A. Douglas, which lead to Lincoln’s election to the presidency.

The Lincolns’ ascent to the White House brought both dazzling power and the slow, secret unraveling of the couple’s unique bond. The Lincolns dramatizes certain well-known events with stunning new immediacy: Mary’s shopping sprees, her defrauding of the public treasury to increase her budget, and her jealousy, which made enemies for her and problems for the president. Yet she was also a brilliant hostess who transformed the shabby White House into a social center crucial to the Union’s success. After the death of their little boy, not a year after Lincoln took office, Mary turned for solace to spirit mediums, but her grief drove her to the edge of madness. In the end, there was little left of the Lincolns’ relationship save their enduring devotion to each other and to their surviving children.

Written with enormous sweep and striking imagery, The Lincolns is an unforgettable epic set at the center of a crucial American administration. It is also a heartbreaking story of how time and adversity can change people, and of how power corrupts not only morals but affections. Daniel Mark Epstein’s The Lincolns makes two immortal American figures seem as real and human as the rest of us.