Mary Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln, lived a tragic life. Beginning with the death of her mother when she was a little girl, Mrs. Lincoln experienced a number of family deaths, including three brothers, three sons, and the murder of her beloved husband while she sat by his side. In addition to tragedy, Mrs. Lincoln suffered from poor mental health and was committed to a sanitarium by her son, Robert. Still, ongoing debate among historians questions whether Mrs. Lincoln was, in fact, mentally ill. In his book, "The Madness of Mary Lincoln," Emerson (2007) discusses Mrs. Lincoln's challenges, and the role bipolar disorder may have played in her life. This article describes the factors that influence Mrs. Lincoln's mental illness and the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder. It cites Emerson's book (2007) which provides an interesting way to learn about the challenges of grief and loss, mental illness, family duty, and the complexities mental health professionals face when examining factors that influence diagnosis and treatment.