Mary Todd Lincoln

Biography

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Mary Todd Lincoln grew up in a home that prized learning and social engagement, developing a keen interest in literature, music, and the arts that complemented Abraham Lincoln's political life.

As First Lady she sought to bring dignity to the White House during the Civil War, hosting soldiers, advocating for hospitals, and leaving a mark on the nation's capital even as she endured the loss of her husband and sons; she spent her final years in private devotion before being laid to rest at the Lincoln Tomb.