Elizabeth Keckley

Elizabeth Keckley (1818-1907) was an African-American seamstress, author, and philanthropist. Born into slavery, she bought her freedom and became the dressmaker and confidante of Mary Todd Lincoln, the First Lady of the United States during President Abraham Lincoln's administration. Keckley's memoir, 'Behind the Scenes, or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House' (1868), provides a unique perspective on the Lincoln family and life in the White House during the Civil War.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Thirty Years As A Slave And Four Years In The White House

    Cover of 'Thirty Years As A Slave And Four Years In The White House' by Elizabeth Keckley

    This memoir offers a poignant and powerful account of an African American woman's life journey from the harsh realities of enslavement to her emancipation and subsequent role as a successful dressmaker and confidante to the First Lady of the United States during the Civil War era. The narrative provides a unique insider's perspective on daily life in the White House, as well as intimate observations of presidential family dynamics during one of the nation's most tumultuous periods. Her story is one of resilience and determination, highlighting the struggles and achievements of a woman who navigated the complex intersections of race, gender, and politics in 19th-century America.

    The 3451st Greatest Book of All Time