No Mary: What the Broadway hit — and history — gets wrong about first lady Mary Todd Lincoln
Mary Todd Lincoln has often been vilified in history, not due to her actions but because of the tumultuous context of her life and the media portrayal of her. The Broadway play 'Oh, Mary!' perpetuates exaggerated stereotypes about her character, presenting her in a negative light. Despite her flaws, Mary Todd Lincoln's intelligence and influence as first lady deserve recognition beyond the controversies that have overshadowed her legacy.
- ▪Mary Todd Lincoln is often remembered more for controversy than for her intelligence and resilience.
- ▪The Broadway hit 'Oh, Mary!' reinforces negative stereotypes about her character.
- ▪Mary faced immense personal tragedy, losing two sons and her husband, which contributed to her vilification.
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| Original publisher | New York Post |
| Canonical URL | https://nypost.com/2026/05/17/opinion/mary-todd-lincoln-did-not-deserve-her-bad-reputation/ |
| Publication time | Sun, 17 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-17T16:03:20.799Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-17T16:03:20.799Z |
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Opinion No Mary: What the Broadway hit — and history — gets wrong about first lady Mary Todd Lincoln By Lois Romano Published May 17, 2026, 12:00 p.m. ET Mary Todd Lincoln may be the most vilified first lady in American history. This is not because she was uniquely unscrupulous or evil, but because her life intersected with an unprecedented national crisis presided over by her husband, unforgiving gender norms, and sensational media coverage that outlived her. She has been remembered more for controversy and tragedy than for her intelligence, resilience, and influence as first lady. Popular culture also reinforced these ideas for generations. The wild popularity of the Broadway hit “Oh, Mary!” — satire that riffs on her image — shows how she remains a compelling figure.
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