1. Overview
Briefly introduces Ann Rutledge, her alleged relationship with Abraham Lincoln, and summarizes the main topics covered in the article. This section should acknowledge the disputed nature of the romance, setting a balanced tone for the article.
2. Early life
Describes Ann Rutledge's birth, family background, upbringing, and the family's move to New Salem, Illinois, providing context for her life.
3. Alleged relationship with Abraham Lincoln
Details the claims surrounding Ann Rutledge being Abraham Lincoln's first love, including the circumstances of their acquaintance and the individuals involved.
3.1. Engagement to John McNamar
Explains Ann Rutledge's prior engagement to John McNamar (also known as John McNeil), his departure for New York, the reasons for his absence, and the subsequent cooling of their relationship.
3.2. Supposed romance with Lincoln
Covers the specifics of the claim that Ann Rutledge met and developed a romantic relationship with Abraham Lincoln during John McNamar's absence, allegedly leading to an understanding or engagement between them.
4. Death
Describes the circumstances surrounding Ann Rutledge's early death, which is a pivotal event in her story and its connection to Lincoln.
4.1. Cause of death and Lincoln's reaction
Explains her death from typhoid fever in 1835, details Abraham Lincoln's profound grief and reported depression, and mentions claims that he authored a poem about suicide in its aftermath.
4.2. Burial and commemoration
Details Ann Rutledge's initial burial site, her subsequent reinterment in Oakland Cemetery in Petersburg, Illinois, and the inscription of Edgar Lee Masters's poem on her modern gravestone as a form of commemoration.
5. Posthumous claims and historical controversy
Discusses the various claims made after Lincoln's death regarding his relationship with Ann Rutledge and the ensuing, long-standing debate among historians about the veracity and nature of this romance.
5.1. William Herndon's account
Describes how William Herndon, Lincoln's friend and law partner, was the first to publicly introduce and popularize the story of the romance after Lincoln's assassination, the context of his claims, and the immediate reactions, particularly from Mary Todd Lincoln and Robert Todd Lincoln.
5.2. Historical debate
Outlines the differing views among historians regarding Herndon's claims and the Lincoln-Rutledge romance, including periods of acceptance, skepticism, and agnosticism. It covers key scholarly works, the evolution of historiographical opinion over time, and the ongoing nature of the discussion.
6. Depictions in popular culture
Provides examples of how Ann Rutledge, primarily in the context of her alleged relationship with Abraham Lincoln, has been portrayed in various popular culture mediums such as films, novels, radio dramas, and television series.