Abstract
There is much controversy surrounding Mary Todd Lincoln, but since her family's time in Washington, she has been largely misunderstood. To many Americans she is an unpopular first lady who struggle and suffered many issues following her husband's assassination. An analysis of her family history shows the broader story. Her father and grandfather were successful businessmen, politically astute, and well connected men in her home town of Lexington, KY. The family as a whole was rich in their political views and had a history of anti-slavery sentiment dating back across multiple generations. She was also not the only Todd in the limelight, at one time there were over forty Todds active in Kentucky politics and in influential positions. Mary and her son, Robert Todd Lincoln brought these traits to a level of national influence. This article seeks to explore the development of these traits and trace them across four generations with Levi Todd, Robert Smith Todd, Mary Todd Lincoln, and Robert Todd Lincoln to explore how they were both embraced and rejected as well as the contributions these traits made to the family's social status and influence.
Semester/Year of Award
Spring 2013
Mentor
Thomas H. Appleton
Mentor Department Affiliation
History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies
Access Options
Restricted Access Thesis
Document Type
Bachelor Thesis
Degree Name
Honors Scholars
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Department
History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies
Department Name when Degree Awarded
History
Recommended Citation
Ricks, Ashley K., "From Frontier Politics to the National Stage: The Development of Social and Political Patterns in the Todd Family of Lexington, KY" (2013). Honors Theses. 112.
https://encompass.eku.edu/honors_theses/112
