Keckley, Elizabeth, 1818-1907

Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley is best known as Mary Lincoln's dressmaker and confidant and as the author of Behind the Scenes.

In the aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination, Keckley stayed with the first lady for a time, but the publication of her book, in which she revealed private details about life inside the White House, was controversial and strained her relationship with Mary Lincoln. The negative reaction to the book in D.C.’s white community also affected Keckley’s ability to earn a living. Finally in 1892 at the age of 74, she took a faculty position at Wilberforce University in Ohio as head of the Department of Sewing and Domestic Science Arts.

Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley died in May of 1907 while living at the National Home for Destitute Colored Women and Children in Washington, D.C.

Fleischner, J. Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckly, 2003:t.p. (Mrs. Keckly) p. 7 (consistently signed her full name as "Elizabeth Keckly," not "Keckley"; consistently signed her first name "Lizzy," not "Lizzie," as Mary Lincoln spelled it) p. 28-29 (Elizabeth Hobbs; b. Feb. 1818)

Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley (sometimes spelled Keckly; February 1818 – May 1907) was a former slave who became a successful seamstress, civil activist, and author in Washington, DC. She was best known as the personal modiste and confidante of Mary Todd Lincoln, the First Lady.