JPK Huson 1863
Brev. Brig. Gen'l
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Location
- Central Pennsylvania
I have to admit that I'm mildly surprised that no one has mentioned Mary Todd Lincoln, yet....
Sure...it's arguably all subjective....but she definitely had Lincoln's ear....whether Abe listened, or not, is debatable....
In contrast,....I always wondered how much of an influence (if at all) Varina Davis had with her husband....I can't recall any anecdote that I've heard about her, that would indicate as to one way or another....
Her biggest fan here, no arguments on Mary Todd. The thing is, she doesn't seem to have been able to influence many people. She still influences a lot of snark about her, all erroneous, hateful nonsense. A Southern woman, educated and raised to be a belle inside one of the most socially and politically prominent circles married the enemy-est enemy of them all. Then she dared to come to Washington, D.C., mistrusted and elbowed out of Northern circles- for being Southern. Could not win.
Yes, tough to get a read on Varina's influence. Her misfortune was to marry a widower whose story of losing his first wife has evoked today's ' romantic ', tragic take- that Davis never recovered and married Varina while still in love with a memory. Bleah. Davis was a vet, had dealt with death, was bright and capable enough to be asked to be the leader of a whole, ' new ' country. Gee whiz. Think he had a grip on the real world, his private life included. And we've seen Varina! Probably dropped men in their tracks.