Mary Todd Lincoln Trivia Quiz

Answer: 15

Mary's father, Robert S. Todd, fathered 16 children- 7 with his first wife and 9 with his second. Mary's full siblings were Elizabeth, Frances, Levi, (Mary), Ann, Robert,(died as infant) and George. Her half siblings were Robert (died as infant), Alex, David, Samuel, Emilie, Katherine, Elodie, Martha, and Margaret.

Answer: 12

Mary received 12 years of schooling - an extraordinary amount for a girl of her time. Her father strongly believed in education, not only for boys but for girls as well.

Answer: French

Mary learned French at Mentelle's Academy for Girls in Lexington, KY. She was fluent in it, and spoke it all of her life. It was especially handy in her later years when she lived for a time in Pau, France. Recently, the possibility that she also spoke German has come to light. This is not proven yet, however.

Answer: Stephen A. Douglas

It is a Todd family tradition that Mary was proposed to by Senator Douglas. He told her that if she accepted she would become the wife of the president. She declined his offer, saying, 'Mr Douglas, I will be the wife of the president, but not as Mrs. Douglas.'

Answer: 1

Mary only attended the last debate. Because the Lincolns had two small, rowdy boys in 1858, it was too difficult (and expensive) for Mary to travel to all the debates.

Answer: Secretary of the Oregon Territory

Lincoln wanted to accept the position, but Mary convinced him not to for two reasons. She did not wish to move to unsettled country with small children, and more importantly, she felt that a move to Oregon would effectively end Lincoln's political career.

Answer: Black silk with small grey flowers

Both the Smithsonian and the Chicago Historical Society have fragments of cloth said to have come from the dress Mary wore that night. I have seen them both, and they are the same fabric. While it can not be absolutely proven that she was wearing this dress, the fact that both institutions obtained these pieces separately, and both are identified the same way, makes me feel confident that the fragments are most likely from the dress she wore.

Answer: 40 days

Lincoln was shot on Good Friday and Mary stayed at the White House for 40 days - somewhat symbolic.

Answer: Raising her 4 boys and being Abraham's helpmate

Both Mary and Abraham took great pride in all their sons.

Answer: July 16, 1882

Mary lived 17 years after Abraham's murder. She was finally reunited with her loved ones on July 16, 1882.