Lincoln First Ladies

[archieclement]

I came across this article, generally agreed with top part of list. Recent first ladies are all in top 2/3rd.....some I found curiously placed but they are more recent memory and first ladies championing something has become common.

But to this forum and period, I found Mary Todd Lincoln being ranked higher then Buchanan neice, Johnson or Grants wives somewhat curious.

TBF hear little of those three, but that would seem preferential to having negative baggage as Mary is commonly presented, even to being presented rather looney and temperamental.

Suppose Mary could be presented as a good hostess and decorating white house.....but weren't both also seen negativily as lashish expenditures in a time of war? As well her connections and hospitality to Confederate family members was rather controversial wasn't it?

America's Beloved First Ladies, Ranked In Order

The most popular First Ladies in U.S. history

news.hometalk.com

 

[archieclement]

As well it's a rather curious ranking as seems authors opinion of beloved.....the sketches mention some accomplishment, but it not very clear if ranking is supposed to be simply liked/beloved or on merit of accomplishments.

As well somewhat curious the US has had several ships, including today remembering/honoring Harriet Lane, which would make a case for her.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

I came across this article, generally agreed with top part of list. Recent first ladies are all in top 2/3rd.....some I found curiously placed but they are more recent memory and first ladies championing something has become common.

But to this forum and period, I found Mary Todd Lincoln being ranked higher then Buchanan neice, Johnson or Grants wives somewhat curious.

TBF hear little of those three, but that would seem preferential to having negative baggage as Mary is commonly presented, even to being presented rather looney and temperamental.

Suppose Mary could be presented as a good hostess and decorating white house.....but weren't both also seen negativily as lashish expenditures in a time of war? As well her connections and hospitality to Confederate family members was rather controversial wasn't it?

America's Beloved First Ladies, Ranked In Order

The most popular First Ladies in U.S. history

news.hometalk.com

From what I have read about Mary Todd Lincoln, she would be ranked low.

 

[Pollaco]

Strictly somebody's opinion and it's way different than mine

 

[archieclement]

Strictly somebody's opinion and it's way different than mine

From what I have read about Mary Todd Lincoln, she would be ranked low.

I agree, and it's hard to critique or rank figures without being somewhat negative.

My point wasn't as much to "hit" Mary........but considering the controversy and baggage often presented with her.....it seemed somewhat a hit piece to me towards Harriet Lane ( if considering her with first ladies), Mrs Johnson and Julia Grant. As my impression of all three is they don't carry the controversy or negative baggage of Mary.

 

[archieclement]

And if unfamiliar with earlier statement, US Coast Guard still has/maintains a medium endurance cutter USCG Harriet Lane.

 

[Pollaco]

I went through the list fairly quickly and possibly missed this. Was Robert O. Tyler's Wife ,Priscilla Cooper Tyler, on the list? She acted as White House hostess for her Father-in-law President John Tyler until he married again.

 

[archieclement]

I went through the list fairly quickly and possibly missed this. Was Robert O. Tyler's Wife ,Priscilla Cooper Tyler, on the list? She acted as White House hostess for her Father-in-law President John Tyler until he married again.

No but both his wives were.

 

[ETNConfederate]

Julia Tyler should rank higher IMO. The last fabulous First Lady until Jacqueline Kennedy.

 

[JerryD]

Very odd list. Its rather repetitive, in that it seems most were "beloved" and hosted many social events and supported charities. Hard to rank when those are their major accomplishments. To be fair, First Lady is not even a real job, but it does strike me that the accomplishments of most are so minimal that any attempt to rank them is extremely subjective.

As for Mary, I do tend to think she gets treated more harshly than warranted, primarily due to a mostly fictitious biography of Lincoln written by his ex law partner, William Herndon, who positively loathed Mary. I'm not saying she was all rainbows and unicorns, just that she gets a somewhat bad rap.

 

[JerryD]

Julia Tyler should rank higher IMO. The last fabulous First Lady until Jacqueline Kennedy.

I'd put in a good word for Betty Ford. She did wonders for public health in terms of awareness of breast cancer and drug addiction. She probably had a more significant affect on the US than her husband's Presidency.

 

[archieclement]

Found a couple of more recent ones curious( not betty).......but avoided it as its hard for opinion articles, historians and I imagine us to avoid some modern political bias.

 

[JerryD]

Found a couple of more recent ones curious( not betty).......but avoided it as its hard for opinion articles, historians and I imagine us to avoid some modern political bias.

I have to admit, I had the same thought. Some of the rankings seemed pretty random.