Mary Todd Lincoln First Spouse Gold Coin

Mary Todd was born on December 13, 1818. It was in her birthplace of Lexington, Kentucky, that she cultivated her love for politics. She met Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, and they married in 1842.

In 1847, Lincoln was first elected to Congress. Mary worked hard to help his career, including his bid for the presidency. After Lincoln was elected President in 1861, Mary was his helpful advisor.

She hosted public receptions at the White House, which she called “handshake days.” A diverse crowd, including African Americans, would visit the East Room of the White House to greet her and the President.

Just weeks after beginning his second term, President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Mary later retired to Hyde Park, Illinois. She died peacefully in 1882.

Reverse Design

During the Civil War, Mary Lincoln visited wounded Union soldiers, bringing them food, books, and flowers and writing letters to the soldiers’ families for them.