PRESIDENTIAL CHILDREN: THE LINCOLN BOYS

Edward Baker Lincoln, 1846-1850. Born on March 10, 1846 in Springfield, Illinois, he died there on February 1, 1850. Not much is known about Edward.

William "Willie" Wallace Lincoln, 1850-1862. Willie was a quiet, bookish boy who was probably his father's favorite. The two were extremely close to each other, and many said that Willie was the only person who could cheer up the President when he seemed depressed. The President certainly doted on Willie. At the age of twelve, Willie died of fever in the White House, being the only child of a president to die in the White House. The President was inconsolable at his son's death, but the Civil War left him little time to mourn. In fact, after Willie's death, the President went downstairs and returned to work in his office.

Thomas "Tad" Lincoln, 1853-1871. Tad was born with a cleft palate and had a pronounced lisp. A quiet, pleasant boy, he was said to be a great comfort to his father after the death of his brother Willie. After Lincoln's assassination, Tad accompanied his mother to Europe. He attended schools in England and Germany. Always in frail health, he died in Germany at the age of 18.

The Lincoln children lived at the center of very exciting times. With the exception of Robert, they never had a chance to prove themselves. We remember them only because of who their father was, and the times in which they lived.

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