I mentioned Tad Lincoln and that he had a cleft palate to a few friends. The response I received was universal. No one knew that Abraham Lincoln’s youngest son was born with a cleft palate. There’s an invisibility that comes with clefts. Many are aware, but don’t understand them. They don’t even know they don’t understand them. We don’t know what you don’t know. They’re glossed over, missed, forgotten. Until there is a reason to notice.
Tad Lincoln and his cleft palate
Thomas “Tad” Lincoln III was born on April 4, 1853, he was the fourth and last child of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. He got his nickname, Tad, from his father because of his large head and small body that made him look like a tadpole. More interesting (at least to me) is that Tad was born with a cleft palate. In 1853, there was no surgical repair. Subsequently, Tad had speech issues growing up. It seems everyone had their own unique nickname from Tad based on the sounds he could or couldn’t make.
Tad also had difficulty eating and had special meals made for him. This would have been due to the opening in the roof of his mouth, as well as misaligned teeth.
Although the cleft palate is often overlooked when we study history, Tad was never overlooked in real life. He was full of life and lacking in discipline (mostly from his father). Some were enamoured by him. Secretary of War Edward Stanton made him a Lieutenant. He once tried to form an army from the White House gardeners and servants. Others simply referred to him as the White House Tyrant.
Later on when he would finally attend school and was called “Stuttering Tad.” Possibly the most normal part of his childhood. Whether it was the nickname, maturity, or tutors, is unknown why, but he was able to improve his level of speech in his teens.
By Anthony Berger, photographer. Brady National Photographic Art Gallery (Washington, D.C.)
Why did he have a cleft palate?
As I researched Tad, there were some mentions of the cause of his cleft palate. They leave me wondering if the articles were written by someone who didn’t know much about clefts, or if they were relaying the sentiment at the time of his birth. For example, one article mentioned that Mary Todd Lincoln had a difficult labor and birth, requiring two doctors. We now know that a cleft palate happens between the 6th and 9th week of pregnancy so a difficult birth wouldn’t have caused it. Although it seems like a small detail, this is actually a huge leap in knowledge and understanding of clefts. While we don’t know the cause, we at least have a possible reference for the timeline in the growth in our understanding of clefts.
Tad Lincoln’s legacy
Although Tad is often remembered for his poor behavior, he is also remembered as the very best companion of our 16th President. A man who had suffered the loss of two of his sons found solace and companionship with Tad. He allowed Tad into meetings about the Civil War and brought him out on visits to the Army. He often spoke for his father. Correctly.
He was only 12 years old when his father was killed at Ford’s Theatre. Although, the occasion brought a forced maturity to Tad, there is not doubt he had learned a lot during those 4 years in the White House.
Some believe Tad may have had dyslexia and ADD. While there is no known link, there is an increased incidents of learning disabilities with cleft affected children. It’s certainly possible, and would partially explain his difficulty with tutors and learning. After his father was killed, he began to devote himself to his studies, recognizing the need to do so. And his mother made him do it.
Sadly, Tad passed away at the age of 18, ready to be brought into family affairs by his oldest brother, Robert. He never realized his full potential.
That potential feels invisible, like his cleft palate – something we know could have been profound but was overshadowed by other larger events.
Sources:
https://featherfoster.wordpress.com/2013/11/13/the-tragedy-of-tad-lincoln/