Lois Romano – Mary Todd Lincoln: An Inconvenient Widow This is the first of four interviews in the Upstart Crow–Fairfax County Public Library Interview Series, presented as part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Details about the remaining three interviews appear below. “Tell people you’re reading a book about Mary Todd Lincoln, and they might well say something like, ‘Oh, wasn’t she crazy?’” When Abraham Lincoln met Mary Todd at a soiree, she was a young, intelligent, well-educated, and stylish woman from an affluent family. He was a country lawyer of humble origins. Both had big-time aspirations, and both were whip-smart. Together, they helped engineer his election to the highest office in the land. Lincoln became one of the most pivotal presidents in American history, taking office at a time when the presidency and the role of the first lady were under intense public scrutiny. Neither Abraham nor Mary was quite prepared for the unprecedented pressures that came with those positions. But crazy? Far from it. Mary had lost three sons and was sitting beside her husband when an assassin entered the room and fired a single shot into the back of his head. Lincoln died hours later. During those hours, Mary was unable to be alone with her husband because so many others wanted to be in the room. Men—all of them men. In the months that followed, Mary struggled to access money to support herself, despite her husband having left a substantial estate. The man responsible for managing that estate refused to release the funds to her. Her son Robert eventually brought her before a court, where testimony about her ability to care for herself and manage her finances led a jury to determine that she should be placed in a treatment facility. A few months later, Mary managed to secure her release. Lois Romano is a veteran national journalist who has worked as a reporter, editor, and columnist for The Washington Post and Politico. A keen observer of the relationship between politics and human nature, Romano brought her insights and extensive research to An Inconvenient Widow, telling Mary Lincoln’s story from beginning to end in a way that has rarely been explored before. In this episode of Upstart Crow, Romano joins host William Miller to discuss the research behind the book, the truth about Mary Todd Lincoln, and how she began a project that consumed more than five years. The conversation concludes with a live-stream audience Q&A, in which Romano answers questions about Mary Lincoln’s life, legacy, and treatment by history. Topics DiscussedLois Romano’s research and the writing of An Inconvenient WidowMary Todd Lincoln’s childhood, family background, and relationship with Abraham LincolnMary’s political ambitions and influence on Lincoln’s careerHow nineteenth-century media coverage shaped Mary Lincoln’s public reputationThe myths and historical assumptions surrounding Mary’s mental healthMary’s charitable work and support for formerly enslaved peopleThe financial struggles and public scrutiny she faced after Lincoln’s assassinationHer relationship with her son Robert and her confinement in a mental institutionHow Mary Lincoln’s story challenges traditional views of first ladies and women in American political history Key TakeawaysMary Todd Lincoln’s reputation was shaped by bias as much as by history. Romano explains how inaccurate reporting, political hostility, and repeated stories helped establish a negative image of Mary that persisted for generations. Her research revisits the historical record to distinguish documented facts from long-standing assumptions. Mary Lincoln was a politically astute partner, not simply a burden to her husband. Mary was ambitious, intelligent, and deeply interested in politics. Romano argues that she and Abraham Lincoln shared a meaningful partnership and that Mary played a more consequential role in his rise than many accounts have acknowledged. The media scrutiny Mary faced was extraordinary for a first lady of her era. Unlike many women who had occupied the role before her, Mary was extensively covered in newspapers. Digitized historical reporting allowed Romano to compare contemporary accusations with the evidence and uncover how sensational coverage affected Mary’s legacy. Mary’s private struggles were compounded by the expectations placed on women. In a time when women could not vote and were expected to remain within the domestic sphere, Mary navigated political life, family responsibilities, public criticism, and financial uncertainty with limited control over her own circumstances. Mary’s efforts to survive were often portrayed as personal failings. After Lincoln’s death, Mary struggled to access her husband’s estate and fought for a pension. Her attempt to sell clothing to support herself became a public scandal, illustrating how harshly she was judged even when trying to secure her financial independence. Revisiting the evidence can change how we understand historical figures. Romano’s work demonstrates the value of returning to original documents, letters, and contemporary newspapers rather than accepting a familiar historical narrative at face value. “I think if she had been born one hundred years later, Mary Lincoln would have been everybody’s adored feminist.” “I think they truly had a very good partnership.” “She was very independent. I mean, she was very independent about her life, about her travel, about her money.” Upcoming FCPL InterviewsShubha Sunder — Tuesday, October 27, at 6:30 p.m. Author Shubha Sunder joins Upstart Crow to discuss Optional Practical Training and the immigrant experiences that inspired her novel. The episode will be available November 3. Valerie Tripp — Tuesday, November 10, at 6:30 p.m. Author Valerie Tripp talks with host Jennifer Disano about writing historical fiction for young readers and why these stories still matter. The episode will be available November 17. Jane Kamensky — Wednesday, November 18, at 6:30 p.m. Jane Kamensky, president and CEO of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, joins host Ken Budd to discuss her book Declare: A Civil Gospel, the founding generation, and civic discourse. The episode will be available November 25. All three interviews are part of the Upstart Crow–Fairfax County Public Library series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Registration: https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov Registration for the Valerie Tripp event opens October 20 at 6:30 p.m. Registration for the Jane Kamensky event opens October 28 at 6:30 p.m. Registration for the Shubha Sunder event is open now. Lois Romano, Mary Todd Lincoln, An Inconvenient Widow, Abraham Lincoln, first ladies in American history, Mary Lincoln biography, Civil War history, women in politics, American history books, historical research, Upstart Crow, Fairfax County Public Library, America’s 250th anniversary #LoisRomano #MaryToddLincoln #AnInconvenientWidow #AbrahamLincoln #AmericanHistory #UpstartCrow For more information about our guests, hosts, upcoming events, and ways you can support the show, be sure to visit our website. Like and subscribe to our Facebook page. Recorded and produced by Jon D PodCom, a production brand of Old Hundred Productions LLC. Upstart Crow is part of Watershed Lit Radio. © 2026 Upstart Crow Podcast. All rights reserved.
