Robert Todd Lincoln

Robert Todd Lincoln

Robert Todd Lincoln was the eldest son of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, and Mary Todd Lincoln. He was born in Springfield, Illinois on August 1, 1843. Robert was the only one of his parents' four children to live past the age of 19.

Robert grew up in a famous family. He went to school at Harvard College and later studied law in Chicago. He enjoyed playing golf and loved astronomy. Robert even built his own observatory with a special telescope!

Robert had an interesting career. He worked as a lawyer and also served the government in important jobs. He was the United States Secretary of War from 1881 to 1885 and the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain from 1889 to 1893. He worked under presidents James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, and Benjamin Harrison.

In his later years, Robert lived in Manchester, Vermont. His home there, called Hildene, is a historic site today. Robert took part in the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 1922. He passed away peacefully in his sleep in 1926 at the age of 82 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Robert Todd Lincoln led a full and interesting life. He was the last person to see General Robert E. Lee’s surrender, ending the American Civil War. A part of the ocean near Greenland is called the Lincoln Sea in his honor.