Few events can stir up a scandal more than an autobiography of a First
Lady's confidante. In 1868, a controversial tell-all called Behind the
Scenes introduced readers to Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley. Mrs. Keckley was
a former slave who had been Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker and friend
during the White House years, and in the aftermath of President
Lincoln's assassination. The book exposed Mary's marriage and her
erratic behavior, along with confidential opinions of many in high
society. The airing of the Lincoln's "dirty laundry" meant humiliation
for Mary and her family, and Elizabeth's reputation was destroyed. This
outcome would have been unimaginable in 1867, when Mary declared in a
letter, "I consider you my best living friend." How could such a bond
have developed between a woman born into slavery and the First Lady of
the United States? Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker answers this question by
chronicling the extraordinary lives of these women.
Readers will be fascinated by a tale of friendship and fate. The pair
seem like polar opposites: Lizzie is calm, dignified, with a steely
inner strength; Mrs. Lincoln is fragile, unstable and flighty. Yet both
share a burning resolve to get what they want. Mrs. Lincoln's
Dressmaker examines the strains on such a unique friendship, as it's
debated and parodied in newspapers. Lizzie must frequently leave her
work to attend to the demands of Mrs. Lincoln. She offers constant
support and companionship, particularly after the assassination of the
President. In return, the dressmaker enjoys all the prestige and the
popularity of those close to power.
Readers witness Elizabeth Keckley in her many roles: from fashion
designer to abolitionist to caretaker. They follow her through the Civil
War, the evils of slavery, and the many challenges faced alongside the
First Lady. Handsome duotone illustrations include daguerreotypes,
photos, paintings, and illustrations of the Lincoln's, Mrs. Keckley, and
her masters. The book's elegant design emphasizes period fashion and the
art of dressmaking.
Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker tells the remarkable story of a forgotten
figure whose influence ran deep and offers a revealing insight into an
extraordinary relationship at the very heart of Abraham Lincoln's
presidency.
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