Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, by Jennifer Chiaverini

 

Elizabeth Keckley George – son of Alexander Kirkland (rape) James – husband, deceased   Emma – friend and seamstress   Clients: Varina Davis Mary Jane Welles – wife of Secretary of Navy Margaret Cameron - wife of Secretary of War Adele Douglas – widow of Stephen Douglas   Virginia Lewis – landlady   Garland family – former owners Miss Ann   Martha – friend from slavery days   Contraband Relief Association 1862 – 1865 Founded by Eliabeth and 40 women from her church   James Redpath – editor, G. W. Carleton and Co. Publishers   Bishop Daniel Payne - Wilberforce University in Ohio Offered Elizabeth position as head of the Department of Sewing and Domestic Sciences

Mary Todd Lincoln Abraham Lincoln Willie – son, deceased Robert – son, college, fought in war, became a lawyer Tad – son, died 1871   Emilie Helm – Mary Todd’s sister, widow of confederate general   Kate Chase – insulted Mrs. Lincoln, became social rivals Salmon Chase – father, Secretary of Treasury, Chief Justice Supreme Court   Cabinet Members and others Mary Todd had feuds with or did not like: Salmon Chase John George Nicolay – president’s personal secretary William Seward – Secretary of State Andrew Johnson General McClellan General Ulysses S. Grant   Jefferson Davis Varina – wife   William H. Herndan – Lincoln’s law partner, wrote book about Lincoln   Mr. Keyes and Mr. W. H. Brady – offered to sell clothing and jewelry

Behind the Scenes: or Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House, Elizabeth Keckley, 1868   Herndon’s Lincoln: The True Story of a Great Life, William Herndon and Jesse W. Weik, 1889

 

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from the 2016 paperback edition.

1.       At the beginning of the war, it was thought it would only last a short period of time and recruits were only enlisted for 90 days.  Given that we know the length of the conflict and the massive number of deaths, how well did the author describe the feelings of the day?

2.       Mary Todd was criticized for her lavish spending, both on the restoration of the White House and, later, on herself.   Was this criticism justified or did she have a duty to keep up appearances?

3.       Even during the war, she continued to spend large amounts of money on her clothing.   Why was she not able to control her spending?

4.       Did you know that her family were all from the south and that her brother, three half-brothers and three brothers-in-law were serving in the Confederate Army?  In the south, where she grew up, she was considered a traitor.  How was she able to handle this conflict?

5.       Were you surprised that Elizabeth lied about being married to George’s father in order to get a pension?  Her advisors told her that George had earned the pension for her and two ministers vouched that she was telling the truth.

6.       Elizabeth kept following and visiting Mrs. Lincoln at the expense of her own business.  Was Mrs. Lincoln selfish or just unable to see the problems she was causing Elizabeth?

7.       The Contraband Relief Association decided to take a collection in the colored churches with the proceeds going to Mrs. Lincoln, but “she did not want to accept help from Negros” (page 301).   Why do you think she resisted this help?

8.       Many people who Mrs. Lincoln thought would help her actually betrayed her.  For example, letters she wrote to Mr. Keyes and Mr. Brady about selling her clothes and jewelry ended up being published in the newspaper and further damaged Mrs. Lincoln’s reputation.  Why was she not able to see what would happen?  Why did people treat her this way?

9.       Elizabeth wrote in the preface to her book, “Mrs. Lincoln, by her own acts, forced herself into notoriety.  She stepped beyond the formal lines which hedge about private life, and invited public criticism” (page 311).  Was this fair?

10.   Mrs.  Lincoln’s letters were published in Elizabeth’s book even though she expressly asked that they not be.  Her editor, Mr. Redpath, thought the letters were essential and that the entire book would improve Mrs.  Lincoln’s reputation.  What did you think?

11.   The book was not well received by both Mrs. Lincoln’s supporters and those who disliked her as well as the colored people who were afraid they would not be hired for fear they would write a book.   Was this understandable?  Fair?

12.   What did you think of Robert’s care for his mother?  He had her declared insane and committed from 1875 to 1876. Was he correct in his actions?

13.   Did you learn anything new about this period in our history?