Today in History: Elizabeth Keckley

Portrait of Elizabeth Keckley

Today in History–November 15–the Library of Congress features Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, whose emancipation deed was signed on this date in 1855. Although best known for her role as confidante and dressmaker to President Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd, Keckley was also an author and a generous philanthropist who assisted escapees from southern slavery. Find out more by visiting the  Today in History section, then click the links below to access related resources.

Mention of Elizabeth Keckley in letter from Mary Todd Lincoln to Abraham Lincoln November 03, 1862

Select historical newspaper articles about Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley

More U.S. historical newspaper coverage of Elizabeth Keckley

Behind the Scenes: Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House by Elizabeth Keckley

Elizabeth Keckley: Brief Bio The Civil War in America exhibition

Elizabeth Keckley Biography National Women’s History Museum

From Slavery to the White House: The Extraordinary Life of Elizabeth Keckly [sic] The White House Historical Association

African American Fashion Designers – from the Lincolns to the Kennedys and Beyond Inside Adams August 3, 2020

Contraband of War primary source set

Related resources