Robert Todd Lincoln: The Legacy

Robert Todd Lincoln was just 21 when his father was assassinated.

The Responsibility of Robert

Only hours before Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, the President spent a little time with his oldest son, on leave from the Army following Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, which he had witnessed.

Lincoln and his son had a rare “personal” chat. While the POTUS was making plans for the country, Robert was making plans for his own future. He wanted to return to Harvard (once he was discharged from military service), to finish his law studies, and sought his father’s approval. Lincoln approved. He believed Robert would make a fine lawyer, gain a couple of years “experience” in Illinois, and perhaps, once Lincoln’s second term ended, Lincoln and Son could open a practice, probably in Chicago, a much larger venue than tiny Springfield.

By midnight, everything had changed.

Now…