Jean Harvey Baker

About the Author

Jean Harvey Baker is a distinguished historian and professor emerita of history at Goucher College, where she has dedicated her career to illuminating the lives of women in American history. With a keen eye for the personal dimensions of political figures, Baker's scholarship bridges the gap between public events and private struggles, offering nuanced portraits that challenge traditional narratives. Her acclaimed biography, Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography, delves into the complex world of Abraham Lincoln's wife, exploring her Southern roots, mental health challenges, and pivotal role in the White House during the Civil War. Baker's work has earned her numerous awards and fellowships, including from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and she continues to lecture widely on gender, politics, and the American presidency, inspiring a new generation of historians to uncover overlooked stories.