The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will host a talk and exhibit focusing on the 16th president’s eldest son, Robert T. Lincoln.  The event is set for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m, with doors opening at 6.  Jason Emerson, a historian and the author of “Giant in the Shadows: The Life of Robert T. Lincoln,” will lead the discussion.

Attendees will also be able to take in a pop-up exhibition of artifacts from Robert Lincoln’s Life.  They include his photo in his mother’s watch case and a playbill for Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Club, in which he participated.  After the talk, Emerson will sell and sign copies of his book.  Outgoing Executive Director Christina Shutt says the ALPLM looks forward to highlighting what she describes as the former U.S. president’s eldest son’s “complicated” life.

Robert Lincoln served as secretary of war under Presidents James Garfield and Chester A. Arthur.  He was then named minister to the United Kingdom in 1889, holding that role for four years.  Afterwards, he served as general counsel – and later president and chairman – of the Pullman Palace Car Company.

The event is free to attend, but interested attendees must register at www.PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov/events.