During the editing of The First Lady and the Rebel, some sacrifices had to be made, and the following is one of them: a deleted scene where the Lincolns play host to Charles and Lavinia Stratton, better known as Mr. and Mrs. Tom Thumb. So here it is! “You should wear pink more often, Molly,” […]
An Outtake: The Lincolns Meet the Strattons Read More »
For my photo Wednesday, here’s a photograph of an unnamed young girl from an album I own. Victorian photograph albums range from the simple to the elaborate–some even played music! Sadly, many have been broken up by photo dealers–understandably, as many albums are in poor condition, and selling photographs individually is often more profitable–but it’s great
Photo Wednesday: A Girl from an Album Read More »
As promised last week, I intend to keep this blog more active. Lately, on Facebook, I’ve been posting Victorian and Edwardian photographs from my collection on Wednesdays, so I shall start doing the same here. Today, in honor of Mary Lincoln’s 200th birthday tomorrow, I am posting four images of her that I own. Although
My Small Mary Lincoln Gallery Read More »
With apologies for not being here much lately, I do have some pleasing news: my seventh novel, The First Lady and the Rebel, about Mary Lincoln and her younger sister Emily Todd Helm, will be out in the fall of 2019! Stay tuned for ordering information. In the meantime, here’s the cover, which I hope
On April 21, 1865, as part of its coverage of President Lincoln’s assassination and its aftermath, the Washington Evening Star reported the arrival of the captured George Atzerodt in Washington. In addition, the Star noted that a man had been detained for questioning at Fort Thayer after repeatedly trying to break through the picket lines
The Strange, Sad Case of George B. Love Read More »
I’m delighted to be hosting Sharon Bennett Connolly, a friend of mine and the author of Heroines of the Medieval World. Today Sharon shares with us an extract about Joan, Lady of Wales, a historical figure who’s fascinated me since I first learned about her. Extract from Chapter 4: Scandalous Heroines about Joan, Lady of
Guest Post by Sharon Bennett Connolly: Joan, Lady of Wales Read More »
Good morning! I’m pleased to be hosting Melita Thomas, author of The King’s Pearl: Henry VIII and His Daughter Mary, on her blog tour. Today Melita, who runs the site Tudor Times, will be blogging about Mary’s relationship with Margaret, Countess of Salisbury. Over to Melita, and thanks for stopping by! As well as Mary’s
Guest Post: A New Mother by Melita Thomas Read More »
As some of you probably know, I got my start as a historical novelist writing about Edward II, so I’m pleased to be hosting a guest post from Martin White, who’s also written about this flawed but intriguing king. Over to Martin: I must have been about 9 years old when I was first taken
Edward and Me: Guest Post by Martin White Read More »
In one of her letters written while she was living in Springfield, Illinois, Mary Lincoln refers to the practice of having “open houses” on New Year’s Day. Recalling the custom years later, Emily Huntington Stuart wrote, “When I was a child, and even long after my marriage, the custom of keeping open house on New
A while back, I posted about Mary Lincoln’s close friend Mercy Conkling (née Levering). In December 1862, the Conklings’ oldest son, Clinton, was attending college at Yale, where he remained over the Christmas holidays. Accordingly, on December 28, 1862, his mother wrote to him to tell him of the family’s celebrations back home in Springfield, Illinois,
Christmas in Springfield, Illinois, 1862 Read More »