Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882) were both Kentuckians, but their backgrounds were vastly different.  In contrast to Abe's hardscrabble upbringing, Mary was the privileged daughter of the Lexington businessman and politician Robert Todd.  

Mary was one of the best-educated women in her era.  After twelve years of education in Kentucky, in 1837 she moved to Springfield, IL to live with a married sister  Abraham Lincoln also moved to Springfield in 1837, but the two did not meet until 1839.  Lincoln was not the most polished of her suitors, but she judged him as having the greatest political potential.  They married in 1842 and had four sons, only one of whom survived until adulthood.

The Lincoln's marriage was reportedly stormy at times but it endured.  She was the first president's wife to be known as the First Lady.  The assassination of her husband was a blow from which Mary never recovered.  Mary spent her final years in Europe returning to Illinois to die in July, 1982.

Angela Bartley of Louisville portrays Mary Todd Lincoln.  Bartley is a track bugler, does Latin dance residencies for the Kentucky arts Council, and also portrays Rosie the Riveter for Kentucky Chautauqua.