Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith
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| Born | July 19, 1904 Riverside, Illinois, U.S.
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| Died | December 24, 1985 (aged 81) Hartfield, Virginia, U.S.
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| Education | Georgetown University (LLB) |
| Occupation | Gentleman farmer |
| Spouse(s) |
Hazel Holland Wilson
(m. 1927; died 1966)Annemarie Hoffman
(m. 1967; div. 1976)Margaret Hogan Fristoe
(m. 1979) |
| Parent(s) | Warren Wallace Beckwith Jessie Harlan Lincoln |
| Relatives | Abraham Lincoln (great-grandfather) |
Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith (born July 19, 1904 – died December 24, 1985) was an American farmer. He was the great-grandson of Abraham Lincoln, who was the 16th President of the United States. In 1975, Robert became the last known direct descendant of Lincoln. This happened when his sister, Mary Lincoln Beckwith, passed away without having any children.
Contents
Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith's Life
Growing Up
Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith was born in Riverside, Illinois. His parents were Jessie Harlan Lincoln and Warren Wallace Beckwith. Jessie was the daughter of Robert Todd Lincoln. Robert Todd Lincoln was the oldest son of President Abraham Lincoln. Jessie's mother was Mary Eunice Harlan.
Jessie and Warren Beckwith got married in 1897. Warren was a football star at Iowa Wesleyan College. They had two children together. These were Mary Lincoln Beckwith and Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith. His parents divorced in 1907.
Robert went to a private school in Washington, D.C.. He also attended New York Military Academy in Cornwall, New York. For two years, he went to Phillips Exeter Academy. This was the same boarding school his grandfather, Robert Todd Lincoln, had attended. Later, he earned a law degree from Georgetown University.
His Adult Years
Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith loved boating and sailing. He usually stayed away from newspapers and public attention. He described his job as a "gentleman farmer." This meant he managed his own farm in Middlesex County, Virginia. He inherited this farm.
In 1964, Robert represented Illinois Day at the 1964 New York World's Fair. In June 1965, he received an honorary degree. This was a doctorate degree from Iowa Wesleyan College. His parents had both gone to this school. Also in 1965, he was a special guest. This was at a ceremony in Chicago. It marked 100 years since Lincoln's funeral.
In 1967, Robert said he was "not especially interested" in his ancestors' time in the White House. However, he did keep some items that belonged to Lincoln. He gave most of these items to the state of Illinois. He also gave Lincoln's rifle to the Smithsonian Institution.
Family Life
Robert Beckwith was married three times during his life. His first wife was Hazel Frances Holland. They married in March 1927. This marriage lasted for almost 40 years. It ended when Hazel passed away in 1966.
His second wife was Annemarie Hoffman. They married in November 1967. This marriage lasted for about nine years. They divorced in September 1976. His third wife was Margaret Elizabeth Hogan. They married in 1979. This marriage lasted until Robert's death in 1985.
Robert Beckwith did not have any children of his own. This made him the last direct descendant of President Abraham Lincoln. However, he did have step-children through his marriages.
Later Life and Passing
Robert Beckwith spent his life living in different places. These included Vermont and near Washington, D.C.. He passed away on December 24, 1985. He was living in a nursing home in Hartfield, Virginia at the time.
See also
