Mrs.Abraham Lincoln- A STUDY OF HER PERSONALITY AND HER INFLUENCE ON LINCOLN by W. A. ELVANS. Originally published in 1932. Preface: WHEN ONE UNDERTAKES A STUDY OF THE LIFE OF A public man or woman, one can expect to find some thing of a printed record. If the study is based on the sub jects connection with high lights of history, the sources of information are easily accessible. Nor is there a dearth of material when one delves somewhat more into the private life of a person who is very much under public observation. Free access to a few good libraries generally suffices to make available as much material as can be used. But when one undertakes a study of a wife and mother who lived over fifty years ago, even though her husband was President of the United States, the task is not so easy. If the undertaking includes an investigation of her behavior private as well as public the difficulties are greater. To attempt to ex plain that behavior in the light of more modern views of personality adds to the difficulties. There are many Abraham Lincoln collectors and a large Lincoln literature, but there are no Mrs. Lincoln collectors, and no collection of Mrs. Lincoln literature. It is true that much has been written about the wife of the first president to be assassinated, but it is not assembled. The material must be sought for in many places. It is a pleasure for me to acknowledge the help I have had ....