Maligned, Mistreated, and Mad: The Tragedy of Mary Lincoln

Does Mary Todd Lincoln deserve her reputation as the worst of our first ladies? Perhaps. But given the ordeals she endured, the wise and the kind will leaven that judgment with a touch of mercy. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

Read Online July 28, 2026

Maligned, Mistreated, and Mad: The Tragedy of Mary Lincoln By Jeff Minick Does Mary Todd Lincoln deserve her reputation as the worst of our first ladies? Perhaps. But given the ordeals she endured, the wise and the kind will leaven that judgment with a touch of mercy. Share           Read more Do you have feedback for our coverage? Tell us what you think by replying to this email. The Iran war has entered a new phase of hostility and uncertainty. To help you stay informed on the latest developments and analysis, we’re running a special promotion—you can enjoy full access to The Epoch Times at a deeply discounted rate: $0.25/week for 6 months. Offer ends soon. Most of us don’t really think about it, but staying informed always comes with a cost. The only real question is who decides how you pay it. A lot of free platforms are built around incentives—clicks, momentum, what keeps you scrolling. They don’t just share the news. They quietly shape how it’s delivered and what gets buried. Yet, The Epoch Times is built for readers who value clarity over noise. We leave room for understanding instead of reaction, and we respect your ability to make up your own mind. For a limited time, we’re inviting you to experience that difference firsthand. For just $0.25 a week, you can get six months of full digital access—not as a big promotion, just as a simple way to spend some time with journalism that’s supported by readers alone. Subscribe Now Tax Grandparents and Trump Accounts: The Gift Tax Question the IRS Just Answered Read the article → Vegetables & Sides This Old-School Sauce Is so Good, You’ll Eat It by the Spoonful Read the article → Home Simple Ways to Lower Cooling Costs Without Touching the Thermostat Read the article → SPONSORED BY GAN JING WORLD [LIMITED-TIME FREE] Hilarious Dog Taste Test Video Goes Viral for Their Contrasting Reactions – Watch Now Learn more → EPOCH BUY Why Travelers Are Raving About This New ‘Vacuum Packing Kit’ Read the article → 🎨 Fine Arts: How illustration reimagined a famous book of children’s poems: “A Child’s Garden of Verses,” illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith, is one of the most sought-after collectible editions. 🌾 Tradition: Number 13 — death, disorder, and the door to a new life: Exploring how the misunderstood number 13 disrupts the sense of completion to bring about change and renewal. 🎼 Music: On life and love in Brahms’s Clarinet Sonata: Brahms pulled from Bach’s St Matthew Passion and his own unrequited love for Clara Schumann to create a classic clarinet-and-piano masterpiece. A Doctor’s Prescription for Raising Good, Strong Sons: In a society that measures success by status and income, one father emphasizes character, commitment, and the ability to care for others. Read more →

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