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Robert Todd Lincoln, tombstone and grave, Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, historic photo

Robert Todd Lincoln, tombstone and grave, Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, historic photo

A historic photo view of the tombstone and grave of Robert Todd Lincoln, Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. Robert Todd Lincoln, the oldest son of Abraham and Mary Lincoln, was born at Springfield, Illinois on August 1, 1843. He was the only one of the four sons born to Abraham Lincoln to survive to adulthood. Lincoln served as a captain on the staff of General Ulysses Grant during the latter part of the Civil War and was present at the surrender of General Robert E. Lee. Later, he served as Secretary of War, 1881-85, during the President Garfield and Arthur administrations. Lincoln was the Ambassador to the United Kingdom, 1889-93, during the Benjamin Harrison administration. After serving as general legal counsel for some time for the Pullman Palace Car Company, he later served as the Pullman company president beginning in 1897 and became chairman of the board in 1911 and continued in this position until 1922. During the late 1800's and early 1900's, the Pullman company was largest manufacturing company in America. Lincoln was frequently suggested as a candidate for either President or Vice-President of the United States but declined all offers to run for office. Lincoln often commented that he felt that they really did not want him but rather they wanted him only for his name and the connection to his famous father.

Robert Todd Lincoln married Mary Eunice Harlan in 1868 and became the father three children: two daughters, Mary and Jessie; and one son, Abraham Lincoln II. The son, Abraham, died at age 17 and had no children. Both daughters lived to adulthood, married and had children. The last known direct descendant of Robert Todd Lincoln (and thus of Abraham Lincoln) was Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith, the grandson of Robert and great-grandson of Abraham Lincoln, who died in 1985.

Several uncanny events occurred during the lifetime of Robert Lincoln. In 1863 or 1864 at Jersey City, New Jersey, Robert Lincoln nearly fell into the space between a train and a crowded loading platform when someone grabbed his collar from behind and pulled him to safety. Lincoln turned to see and instantly recognize that it was the well known actor of the time, Edwin Booth, who had rescued him. Edwin Booth was a strong Union sympathizer and the older brother of fellow actor John Wilkes Booth who would assassinate Abraham Lincoln in 1865. While Lincoln quickly recognized Edwin Booth, Booth had no idea who the young man was. It was not until after the Lincoln assassination that Robert Lincoln made it known that it was Edwin Booth who has rescued him. When this was later revealed to Edwin Booth, it was of great comfort to Booth who was depressed, ashamed and deeply disturbed by the actions of his brother.

When Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, Robert Lincoln was at the White House having just returned from the battlefield. He declined an invitation to attend the play at Ford's Theatre along with his parents, a decision that he always regretted. He believed that if he had been present, that he would have been sitting behind father and could somehow have prevented the assassination. He was at his father's bedside when the president died the following morning.

While serving as Secretary of War during the Garfield administration, he was with President James A. Garfield at a train station in Washington D. C., on July 2, 1881 and a witness to Garfield being shot. Garfield was the second president to be assassinated.

On September 6, 1901, Robert Lincoln was at the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, New York as a guest of President William McKinley when McKinley was shot. McKinley was the third president to be assassinated. In this case, while Lincoln was present at the exposition, he did not witness the president being shot.

Robert Todd Lincoln died at his home, Hildene, located at Manchester, Vermont on July 26, 1926. He was 82 years old and less than a week before his 83rd birthday. His remains are buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. His three younger brothers, along with Abraham and Mary Lincoln are all buried at the Lincoln Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois. See the additional photos below.

A photo of Robert Todd Lincoln, from about 1860-62, just after his father, Abraham Lincoln, began serving as president. Robert is about 17 to 20 years old at this time.

A photo of Robert Todd Lincoln, from about 1860-62, just after his father, Abraham Lincoln, began serving as president. Robert is about 17 to 20 years old at this time. See the additional photos below.

A photo of Robert Todd Lincoln by Mathew Brady taken during 1865. He was about 21 or 22 years old at this time.

A photo of Robert Todd Lincoln by Mathew Brady taken during 1865. He was about 21 or 22 years old at this time. This was the same year that his father, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. See the additional photos below.

This photo Robert Todd Lincoln dates from the 1870-80 time period, most likely closer to 1880. He is probably in his mid to late 30's in this photo. See the additional photos below.

A photo recorded on May 30, 1922 of Robert Todd Lincoln at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D. C.

A photo recorded on May 30, 1922 of Robert Todd Lincoln at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D. C. See the additional photos below.

Another photo recorded on May 30, 1922 of Robert Todd Lincoln at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D. C. See the additional photo below.

Chief Justice and former President William Howard Taft, President Warren Harding, and Robert Todd Lincoln, dedication of the Lincoln Memorial.

An historic photo recorded at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D. C. on May 30, 1922. From left to right, Supreme Court Chief Justice and former President William Howard Taft, President Warren Harding, and Robert Todd Lincoln. This was the last public appearance of Lincoln. Lincoln died a little more than four years later.

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