Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most Questionable Figures
Just like much of the past can’t be seen in black & white, neither can many of the people who lived there. So who are these people in the grey?
They've been called many things-- villains, notorious, infamous, questionable moral character, offenders of many crimes or horrific incidents. But like most people, the truth lies in the grey--and our podcast sheds light on the historical facts and stories behind each person in a conversational, approachable style and then finally lets us (& you) decide...Where do we think they fall in history’s judgment? Have they been fairly or unfairly vilified in the historical discourse?
Let us just boil it down to judging the hell out of some pretty interesting dead people.
Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most Questionable Figures
Mary Todd Lincoln: Part 1
Mary Todd Lincoln has the distinction of being one of the least popular First Ladies of the United States, even as her husband tops the lists of greatest Presidents. Their marriage has been the topic of entire books and careers. Mary has been called crazy, a spendthrift, certainly not the intellectual equal of her husband. Listen to part 1 of our series on Mary Todd Lincoln to hear about her early life in Lexington Kentucky, the courtship and marriage to an up and coming attorney named Abraham Lincoln (he probably won't be important), and the first of many losses that she suffered.
Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take!
If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!
