Elizabeth Keckly

Elizabeth Keckly was an African American seamstress and author, best known for her work as the dressmaker for Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln. Born into slavery, she gained her freedom and established a successful dressmaking business in Washington, D.C. Keckly became a close confidante of Mrs. Lincoln, and her memoir, 'Behind the Scenes,' provides a unique perspective on the life of the Lincoln family during a tumultuous period in American history.