Explore Abraham Lincoln's marriage to Mary Todd and time as state lawmaker in Springfield, Illinois

Explore Abraham Lincoln's marriage to Mary Todd and time as state lawmaker in Springfield, Illinois

Description of Abraham Lincoln's years as a state lawmaker in Illinois, where he was an early advocate of women's suffrage, and of his marriage to Mary Todd.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
  • Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
    Consider the case of strawberry vs. vanilla.
    Media Editor: Lauren Sims
  • Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
    An overview of Barack Obama.
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
    Learn about the life and impact of organized-labor activist Mother Jones.
  • Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
    Abraham Lincoln's years as a politician and lawyer in Illinois.
  • Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
    Learn about the creative license moviemakers have taken in films about Abraham Lincoln.
  • Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
    Learn about Abraham Lincoln's campaign in the U.S. presidential election of 1860.
  • Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
    Learn more about Abraham Lincoln's Spot Resolutions during the Mexican-American War.

News •

Today in History: Abraham Lincoln wins presidency • Nov. 6, 2026, 4:30 AM ET (Chicago Tribune)

Transcript

[Music in]

NARRATOR: In 1836, he was licensed to practice law and was reelected to the State House. One of the policies he advocated was woman's suffrage. It was evidence of Lincoln's caring for people--and his concern about the inequities that he saw around him.

In 1839, he met Mary Todd. She was from a prominent slave-holding family in Lexington, Kentucky--a young woman cultured and much admired. Two years later they were married. In May of 1844, they bought a home at Eighth and Jackson in Springfield, the only home Lincoln was ever to own. He and Mary had four sons in the Springfield house; one died there.

[Music out]

Last Modification: