First Ladies | Mary Todd Lincoln | 2

American History Tellers

Wondery

Society & Culture, Kids & Family, History, Education For Kids

4.7 • 18.3K Ratings

🗓️ 3 July 2024

⏱️ 49 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In 1842, Mary Todd married Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois after a stormy romance. Despite their many differences, the couple bonded over a shared passion for politics. Less than two decades later, Mary fulfilled her greatest ambition when she entered the White House as First Lady.

Unlike many of her predecessors, Mary relished public life. She was determined to make her mark on the White House. But her explosive temper and extravagant spending habits drew widespread criticism. And her response to a series of family tragedies caused many to question her sanity.

Order your copy of the new American History Tellers book, The Hidden History of the White House, for behind-the-scenes stories of some of the most dramatic events in American history—set right inside the house where it happened.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Wunderry Plus subscribers can binge new seasons of American history tellers early and
0:05.1	ad free right now. Join Wundery Plus in the Wundery app or on Apple Podcasts. Imagine it's July 1864 in Washington, D.C. You're a friend and
0:29.0	seamstress to Mary Todd Lincoln and you're in her bedroom in the White House.
0:33.0	As you hem a new evening dress for her, she walks into the room and collapses into a plush arm chair across from you.
0:40.0	You briefly look up from your sewing to acknowledge her entrance
0:42.8	noticing how weary she looks today.
0:45.3	Oh, she lets out a heavy sigh.
0:47.8	What do you think of Mr Lincoln's chances for re-election?
0:51.2	You're surprised by the question. Well, of course Mr Lincoln will win again. What makes you think so? I fear that he'll be defeated.
1:01.5	The people of the North see him as an honest and
1:03.7	upright man. I believe they'll trust him to see the war through.
1:08.0	Mary sighs again and leans back, resting her elbows on the chair and her chin in her hand.
1:15.0	Your confidence gives me hope.
1:18.0	To tell you the truth, I don't know what will become of us all if he is defeated.
1:23.7	There's more at stake in this election than he realizes.
1:26.9	What do you mean?
1:28.3	Well, I'm afraid my debts are much larger than I've told you. How much larger? Some $27,000, mostly in
1:39.9	overdue store bills. You drop your sewing in your lap and try to hide your shock. I see.
1:47.0	Mr Lincoln knows nothing of this. If he is re-elected, I can buy time to come up with the money. If he loses, he'll find out everything.
1:57.0	But Mary, isn't that more than his entire yearly salary?
2:02.0	How did this happen? in his entire yearly salary?
2:03.0	How did this happen?
	...

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