Mary Ann Todd Lincoln: The First Lady of Excess

Mary Ann Todd Lincoln was the wife of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. She was born on December 13, 1818, in Lexington, Kentucky, and was known for her extravagance and her love for fashion.

Mary Ann’s obsession with fashion was evident from a young age. She would spend hours playing dress-up and experimenting with different hairstyles. By the time she became First Lady, Mary Ann had accumulated an impressive collection of over 300 pairs of gloves and 90 pairs of shoes. Her dresses were just as extravagant, with some costing as much as $2,000 (which was a lot back then!).

Despite her love of fashion, Mary Ann was not immune to criticism. Her opponents often ridiculed her for her spending habits and accused her of using taxpayers’ money to fund her extravagant lifestyle. They also mocked her for being overly emotional and prone to outbursts of anger.

Perhaps Mary Ann’s most infamous incident was when she reportedly held a “spiritualist séance” to communicate with her dead son Willie, who had died of typhoid fever at the age of 11. The incident caused a scandal and further damaged Mary Ann’s already tarnished reputation.

Despite her quirks and constant public scrutiny, Mary Ann was a devoted wife and mother. She stood by her husband’s side throughout his presidency and famously held his hand as he lay dying after being shot by John Wilkes Booth.

In the end, Mary Ann’s love of fashion and excess may have been her downfall. She spent the remainder of her life battling depression and financial ruin, and was eventually committed to a mental institution by her own son.

Mary Ann Todd Lincoln may have been excessive, but she certainly left her mark on history. We may never know what drove her obsession with fashion and extravagance, but we can’t deny that she was a fascinating and unforgettable figure in American history.