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Independent historian Jason Emerson holds copies of the Mary Todd Lincoln insanity letters at his home in Spotsylvania County.

Jason Emerson offers a well-researched and readable book on "The Madness of Mary Lincoln." By Thomas P. Lowry, M.D.

Date published: 9/8/2007

DOES YOUR HOUSE have an attic? If so, go up there right now and look for old trunks of letters. Do the same if you have a cellar. Even better, search your grandmother's attic or cellar. Through diligent sleuthing, Jason Emerson, a Spotsylvania County historian, found the right trunk in the right attic and has now shed light on one of the most debated issues in American history: Mary Todd Lincoln's insanity-- or lack thereof.

But first, a compliment. In my 50 years as a medical doctor I have read many well-meaning but atrociously wrong medical-psychiatric works by persons outside the profession. Although Emerson is no medical man, he has had the wisdom to read widely and consult with good people, including my colleague James S. Brust, and has produced a well-founded, cleverly conceived, deeply researched and smoothly written narrative.

Like any good reviewer of a mystery story, I will not give away the ending, but here are the issues. One camp of historians claims that Mary Todd Lincoln was the victim of Robert Lincoln, a cold, uncaring son, who had her put away in an insane asylum, behind bars, in a straitjacket, in order to get her money.

An equally vociferous group of scholars claims that Mary was not only a sly, cunning, duplicitous, money-mad, conniving and ungrateful mother, but a woman whose narcissistic per-sonality was deteriorating into a full-blown, hate-filled psychosis, with hallucinations, delusions and attempted suicide.

Emerson's contribution has been to find and analyze Mary's long-lost letters to Myra Bradwell, a legally trained fiery feminist, who may have used Mary for her own private purposes. These letters, beautifully put into context by the author, are a major contribution to understanding the inner workings of the Lincoln family, embedded as they were in the matrix of Victorian moral and philosophical beliefs.

Jason Emerson of Spotsylvania County will speak and sign copies of his new book, "The Madness of Mary Lincoln," at a book-release party on Monday, Sept. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bistro Bethem, 309 William St., Fredericksburg. Tickets are required and cost $50 per person or $70 per couple. The ticket price includes a copy of the book and a heavy hors d'oeuvres buffet. There will be a cash bar and live music. Extra books will be available for purchase at the regular retail price of $30. Call Bistro Bethem at 540/371-9999 or visit for tickets and information. THE MADNESS OF MARY LINCOLN By Jason Emerson (Southern Illinois University Press, 304 pages, $29.95)

Date published: 9/8/2007