Mr. Lincoln's Wife

by Anne Colver

Colver, Anne, Mr. Lincoln's Wife

Genres: Fiction, Civil War, Politics

363 pages, Hardcover

First published May 20, 1943

About the author

Polly Anne Colver Harris (1908-1991) is listed in the WorldCat author identification database variously as Polly Anne Colver Harris, Anne Colver, Polly Anne Colver Graff, Polly Anne Colver, and Colver Harris. According to the Gale Literature Resource Center, she wrote 18 children’s stories and biographies, some with her husband Stewart Graff, under the names Anne Colver and Polly Anne Graff, three volumes of historical fiction for adults under the name Anne Colver, and three mysteries for adults under the name Colver Harris.

Anne Colver, whose father, William Byron, was one of the founders of the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain, almost followed in his footsteps by publishing her own newspaper, "The Weekly Bugle," at the age of 12. On May 16, 1929 she married Markham Harris. The marriage produced one son and the couple divorced in 1942. On March 3, 1945 Anne married S. Stewart Graff. This marriage produced one daughter and Anne remained married to Graff until her death in 1991. Besides family and writing, Anne Colver enjoyed gardening, cooking and reading.

Reviews

[Edith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 1943, this story of Mrs. Mary Lincoln is kindly and compassionately told. Many pertinent details of the Lincoln story are missing, but I think it was the author’s intent to relate her version in light brushstrokes, and as such, it is well done. My husband’s term for it is ‘soft history’. What this book does really well is whet my appetite for more...more detailed information and analysis of the Lincoln saga.

Just recently I got to choose a few books from my late father’s library and this was one of them. He picked up old books from flea markets all of his life and many of them show the wear and tear from readers of the past. These aged books excited him more than any brand new volume ever could. I’m kind of like that myself and prefer a used book over a brand new book any day. My guess is that he didn’t read this book completely through though, because he preferred hard core history, the kind of reading that only the most serious student of the past will tackle. Still, it has his beautiful flowing signature on the dedication page which delights me no end and I hope that someday his great-granddaughters will read it.

[Karen Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical biography about Mary Todd Lincoln, written in the 1940's. Told more from the perspective of Mary Todd, not as a crazy woman, but a woman challenged by multiple tragedies. This book has just the right balance of history and fiction, making it a compelling read. Worth finding a copy, and reading for any reader who likes women histories.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy learning about Lincoln and his family. I liked this book because it really focused on Mary Todd Lincoln. It shared her story from the time of their difficult courtship until her old age. Instead of portraying her as crazy like a lot of books do. This one took a lighter approach and tried to show things from her point of view.

[Paul Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I read Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter and then found this book on the give away pile at the library and figured it would be a nice follow up.
I love reading about Lincoln.

[Judith Hall Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is historical fiction written on the young adult level, but that does not detract from this engrossing story of understanding the wife of Abraham Lincoln. The last three chapters are especially heart-wrenching as she deals with being committed to an insane asylum by her son.

[Greg Collver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good.

[Wyyknot]

Mr. Lincoln's wife by Anne Colver (1943)

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a wonderful look at a very misunderstood woman. The poor I read about her the more vulnerable she appears and I have no doubt she loved her husband and her family. Good read.

[Jo Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read, with delight, this old, 1943 edition of this book about Mary Lincoln. Really liked it!

[Leah B. Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom found this book for me in an antique store somewhere in Cloudcroft, NM. It’s taken me a long time to read it, but it’s definitely been worth it!
It’s a telling of the rise of Abraham Lincoln’s fame, presidency, and assassination through the eyes of his wife, Mary Lincoln. It really is just her store and he passes through the pages. It is a slow burn and takes its time, however I really did enjoy it. If you are thinking about reading it I definitely would, but keep in mind that it was written in 1943 (this is at the height of WWII, the writing style was very different and might take a moment to get used to).
But with that being said considering it was written in the early 40s by a woman about a woman who has been somewhat forgotten or misrepresented through history mainly for female readers…it was really beautiful to read in that context. I think the author, Anne Colbert, was a bit ahead of her time.
I don’t know how but I would love to adapt this book to a screenplay if no one has. This story as a film or limited series would be beautiful. There is so much bits and pieces of Mrs. Lincoln in here that are told with such a grace and simplicity that only a woman could do. I think it would be nice for the public to see what she went through before, during, and especially after the presidency. How as a woman she was treated so differently compared to her male counterparts, even by her son.
Moral of the story…I’m glad my mom found this little book in that antique store.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I found it well written and an interesting interpretation of Mary Todd Lincoln's life. It left me wanting to learn more about this complicated woman and her tragedy filled life.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never having read about Lincoln or his wife, this was an interesting perspective on their lives. What a complicated woman...at times I liked her, disliked her, pitied her, understood her...what a crazy life to live.

[Dru · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old book I found on my shelf. But I really enjoyed it.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written historical fiction account of the life of Mary Todd Lincoln covering the years 1837-1875.

[Lizzie]

I enjoyed this book. I never really understood Mrs. Lincoln and this book gave me a better understanding of her from her own view.