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Donna D. McCreary

Born: 1958 in Frankfort, Germany
Pen Name: None

Connection to Illinois: Donna writes books about Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln - both Illinois subjects of interest.

Biography: Donna McCreary’s lifelong interest in history and the Lincoln family led her to begin portraying Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of the 16th President, in 1992. Since then, she has extensively researched original documents for information to take her audiences into America’s turbulent past. She has performed for various schools, organizations, and museums throughout the Midwest, including the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois and the Mary Todd Lincoln House in Lexington, Kentucky. As a member of the Association of Lincoln Presenters, she is a recipient of the ''Outstanding Mary Todd Lincoln Award'' in 1997 and 2000; the Glenn Schnizlein Memorial Award in 2005; and the Lincoln Legend Award in 2007.Several of her articles about the Lincoln family have been published. Her book ''Fashionable First Lady'' offers insight to the personality of Mary Lincoln through study of her exquisite wardrobe, and her book ''Lincoln's Table'' is a collection of recipes for food that Lincoln enjoyed from his boyhood through his presidency.In recognition for her work as an educator, author, and Mary Lincoln presenter, McCreary has been included in several editions of Who’s Who in America and has also received numerous civic and professional awards. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in secondary education from Indiana University SE, and is a member of the Society of Midland Authors. McCreary resides near Charlestown, a southern Indiana community.


Awards:

Primary Audience(s): Adult readers

Email: mtlincoln@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.marylincoln.com
Donna D. McCreary on WorldCat : http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=donna+d.++mccreary


Selected Titles

  Fashionable first lady :
ISBN: 0979538300 OCLC: 166432553

Lincoln Presentations, [Indiana?] : ©2007.

To the Victorian eye, first appearances and the way one was dressed made a lasting impression, and proper ladies of that era wanted very much to leave a positive lasting first impression. Women paid attention to the details of their attire and their accessories, for one mistake could lead to social ostracism. As a member of the aristocratic Todd family, Mary Lincoln was able to adhere to the latest fashions made from the finest fabrics. As a young woman, Mary was one of the belles in Lexington, Kentucky and in Springfield, Illinois, then a bustling frontier town. She was a member of the social plan where ladies were concerned about the width of their ribbons, the length of their skirts, and the latest Parisian fashions. Even in widowhood, Mary kept abreast of the latest fashions. Mary Lincoln enjoyed shopping. For her it was almost an art form. But other than a few gowns which became famous because she wore them for photo sittings, little is said about Mary's choice of dress. How did they relate to the fashion of the era? Did she dress like other Washington women of society? Where her dresses outstanding because they were different and more elaborate than anyone else's? And what is discovered about Mary's personality by examining her wardrobe? Fashionable First Lady: The Victorian Wardrobe of Mary Lincoln answers these questions and more. Each of Mary's known costumes is examined. When available, detailed information such as the width of a sleeve and the color of piping is given. In addition to information about Mary's gowns is information about 19th century fashion, mourning attire, and photographs of Mary's fashion choices. Information about White House social functions and stories about the Lincoln's entertaining helps the reader gain new insights into Mary's personality and understand her fashion choices.To the Victorian eye, first appearances and the way one was dressed made a lasting impression, and proper ladies of that era wanted very much to leave a positive lasting first impression. Women paid attention to the details of their attire and their accessories, for one mistake could lead to social ostracism. As a member of the aristocratic Todd family, Mary Lincoln was able to adhere to the latest fashions made from the finest fabrics. As a young woman, Mary was one of the belles in Lexington, Kentucky and in Springfield, Illinois, then a bustling frontier town. She was a member of the social plan where ladies were concerned about the width of their ribbons, the length of their skirts, and the latest Parisian fashions. Even in widowhood, Mary kept abreast of the latest fashions. Mary Lincoln enjoyed shopping. For her it was almost an art form. But other than a few gowns which became famous because she wore them for photo sittings, little is said about Mary's choice of dress. How did they relate to the fashion of the era? Did she dress like other Washington women of society? Where her dresses outstanding because they were different and more elaborate than anyone else's? And what is discovered about Mary's personality by examining her wardrobe? Fashionable First Lady: The Victorian Wardrobe of Mary Lincoln answers these questions and more. Each of Mary's known costumes is examined. When available, detailed information such as the width of a sleeve and the color of piping is given. In addition to information about Mary's gowns is information about 19th century fashion, mourning attire, and photographs of Mary's fashion choices. Information about White House social functions and stories about the Lincoln's entertaining helps the reader gain new insights into Mary's personality and understand her fashion choices.

  Lincoln's table :
ISBN: 0979538319 OCLC: 239406941

Lincoln Presentations, Charlestown, Ind. : ©2008.

Lincoln's table :
ISBN: 1578600898 OCLC: 45877218

Guild Press of Indiana, Zionsville, Ind. : ©2000.

 

 

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