36 Facts About Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith

Early Life and Family Background

Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith's life began with a rich historical legacy. His lineage connected him directly to one of America's most revered presidents, Abraham Lincoln.

1. Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith was born on July 19, 1904, in Riverside, Illinois. His parents were Jessie Harlan Lincoln and Warren Wallace Beckwith.

2. Jessie Harlan Lincoln, Beckwith's mother, was the daughter of Robert Todd Lincoln. This made Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith the great-grandson of Abraham Lincoln.

3. Jessie Harlan Lincoln eloped with Warren Beckwith in 1897. Warren was a football star at Iowa Wesleyan College. They had two children before divorcing in 1907.

4. Beckwith had an older sister named Mary Lincoln Beckwith. She was born in 1898 and was also known as Peggy.

Education and Career Choices

Despite his prestigious family background, Beckwith chose a relatively quiet and private life, focusing on education and personal interests.

5. Beckwith attended a private school in Washington, D.C. This early education set the stage for his later academic pursuits.

6. He later attended New York Military Academy in Cornwall, New York. This institution provided a disciplined environment for his formative years.

7. Beckwith spent two years at Phillips Exeter Academy. This boarding school was also attended by his grandfather, Robert Todd Lincoln.

8. He received a law degree from Georgetown University. Despite this achievement, he never practiced law.

9. Beckwith described himself as a "gentleman farmer of independent means." He chose to live off the family fortune rather than pursue a traditional career.

Personal Life and Marriages

Beckwith's personal life was marked by multiple marriages and a notable lack of direct descendants.

10. Beckwith was married three times. His first marriage was to Hazel Frances Holland in 1927.

11. His second marriage was to Annemarie Hoffman in 1967. This marriage lasted nearly nine years before ending in divorce.

12. His third marriage was to Margaret Elizabeth Hogan in 1979. This marriage lasted until his death in 1985.

13. Despite being married three times, Beckwith never publicly acknowledged paternity for any child. This fact contributed to his status as the last direct descendant of Abraham Lincoln.

14. Annemarie Hoffman alleged that their son, Timothy Lincoln Beckwith, was fathered by Beckwith. However, a court ruling declared Beckwith was not the father due to his vasectomy several years prior to Timothy's birth.

Inheritance and Lifestyle

Beckwith's inheritance allowed him to live a life of relative leisure, managing family properties and engaging in various hobbies.

15. Beckwith inherited a working farm in Middlesex County, Virginia. He managed this farm as a gentleman farmer.

16. He lived a quiet life, avoiding media and publicity. This preference for privacy was a consistent theme throughout his life.

17. Beckwith was once arrested for speeding in Omaha, Nebraska. This incident led to a rare public appearance when a newspaper published pictures of him as a young man.

Lincoln Legacy and Public Appearances

Despite his disinterest in public life, Beckwith occasionally participated in events related to his Lincoln heritage.

18. Beckwith retained some Lincoln memorabilia. However, he generally showed little interest in his ancestors' life in the White House.

19. He donated a collection of Lincoln memorabilia to the State of Illinois in 1976. This donation included items that reflected his distant interest in his ancestor's life.

20. In 1965, Beckwith was a guest of honor at Chicago's commemoration ceremony upon the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's funeral. This was one of his few public appearances related to his heritage.

21. He represented Illinois Day at the 1964 New York World's Fair. This event was another rare instance of Beckwith engaging with his Lincoln legacy.

22. In June 1965, Beckwith received an honorary doctorate degree from Iowa Wesleyan College. This was his parents' alma mater.

Final Years and Legacy

Beckwith's later years were marked by continued privacy and a focus on his personal interests and hobbies.

23. Beckwith enjoyed boating and sailing. These activities were among his favorite pastimes.

24. He had an observatory built at Hildene. This observatory housed a 1909 Warner & Swasey refracting telescope with a six-inch John A. Brashear objective lens.

25. Beckwith was a dedicated golfer. He served as president of the Ekwanok Country Club in Manchester.

26. He was involved with the Pullman Company. Beckwith served as general counsel under George Pullman and later became president of the company.

27. Beckwith's last public appearance was on May 30, 1922. This was at the dedication ceremony for his father's memorial in Washington, D.C.

28. The Lincoln family line came to an end with Beckwith's passing. His sister, Mary Lincoln Beckwith, died in 1975 without children.

29. Other presidents like Washington, Jefferson, and Madison also did not have any direct living descendants. This fact places Beckwith in a unique historical context.

30. Thousands of Americans claim some kinship to Lincoln. Actor Tom Hanks is reportedly a distant relative of Lincoln based on his connection to Nancy Hanks Lincoln.

31. After Beckwith's death, his body was taken to the Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home in Saluda, Virginia. His widow made the funeral arrangements.

32. Beckwith was buried in a private ceremony. This reflected his preference for a low-key life.

33. Hildene, the family estate, was given to the Christian Science Church by Peggy Beckwith. It has since been transferred to a private group that operates it as a historic site.

34. Beckwith donated Lincoln's rifle to the Smithsonian Institution. This further contributed to the preservation of Lincoln's legacy.

35. Despite his disinterest in public life, Beckwith attended a few Lincoln-related events. These included the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's funeral and the 1964 New York World's Fair.

36. Beckwith's educational background included attending a private school in Washington, D.C., and New York Military Academy. He also spent two years at Phillips Exeter Academy.

Beckwith's Quiet Legacy

Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith lived a life far removed from the spotlight despite his famous lineage. Born into privilege, he chose a path of quietude, managing a farm and enjoying hobbies like boating and golfing. His three marriages produced no acknowledged children, making him the last direct descendant of Abraham Lincoln. Beckwith's disinterest in public life didn't stop him from preserving Lincoln memorabilia, which he donated to the State of Illinois and the Smithsonian Institution. His involvement with the Pullman Company and occasional public appearances highlighted his unique place in history. Beckwith's life serves as a reminder that even those with significant heritage can lead lives marked by personal choices and privacy. His legacy continues to fascinate, offering a glimpse into the complexities of family dynamics and the enduring impact of historical figures.