My Theodosia is a novel, written by the American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 author Anya Seton

Anya Seton

Anya Seton was the pen name of Ann Seton, an American author of historical romances.-Biography:...

 which was first published in 1941.

It is a fictional interpretation of the life of Theodosia Burr Alston

Theodosia Burr Alston

Theodosia Burr Alston was the daughter of Theodosia Bartow Prevost and the controversial U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr.-Early life:...

, set against an historical background of Aaron Burr's

Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr, Jr. was an important political figure in the early history of the United States of America. After serving as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War, Burr became a successful lawyer and politician...

 Vice Presidency of the United States, and his subsequent years.

The book focuses on the life of Theodosia: her marriage to Joseph Alston

Joseph Alston

Joseph Alston was the 44th Governor of South Carolina from 1812 to 1814.-Early life and career:Born in All Saint's Parish near Georgetown, Alston attended the College of New Jersey, but left in 1796 without graduating. He then went to study law at the office of Edward Rutledge and was admitted to...

; her suggested romance with Meriwether Lewis

Meriwether Lewis

Meriwether Lewis was an American explorer, soldier, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition also known as the Corps of Discovery, with William Clark...

; and ultimately her unwavering devotion to her father Aaron Burr, and his devotion to her.

Plot summary

The story begins on Theodosia's seventeenth birthday in the year 1800, where her father Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr, Jr. was an important political figure in the early history of the United States of America. After serving as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War, Burr became a successful lawyer and politician...

 introduces Theodosia to her soon to be husband Joseph Alston

Joseph Alston

Joseph Alston was the 44th Governor of South Carolina from 1812 to 1814.-Early life and career:Born in All Saint's Parish near Georgetown, Alston attended the College of New Jersey, but left in 1796 without graduating. He then went to study law at the office of Edward Rutledge and was admitted to...

. Theodosia is not keen on her father's choice for a husband, for she does not realise that her father hopes the marriage will increase his political support in the southern states, as well as lead to financial gain. During Theodosia and Joseph's official courtship, by chance Theodosia meets Meriwether Lewis

Meriwether Lewis

Meriwether Lewis was an American explorer, soldier, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition also known as the Corps of Discovery, with William Clark...

, and the two are instantly attracted to each other. However Aaron Burr spots the two together, and stops any chance of a romance before it begins.

Reluctantly but dutifully, Theodosia capitulates to her father's wishes and marries Joseph Alston in February 1801. The couple then settle in Joseph's home state of South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...

, and Theodosia soon gives birth to her first and only child. However Theodosia is never happy in the South and constantly longs for the company of her father (and a reunification with Meriwether Lewis).

The story moves on through Aaron Burr's time as Vice President: his controversial actions dueling Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury...

; his working to take over Mexico

Mexico

The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

, naming himself as king; and his subsequent trial. Theodosia is always behind her father, even if it is at the cost of her marriage to Joseph, and her romance with Meriwether.

Historical Accuracy

Though reviewers frequently comment on the meticulous research Seton put into her books, little of that is evidenced in My Theodosia. The novel is fraught with unfortunate historical inaccuracies from the romance with Meriwether Lewis – which almost certainly did not happen – to the depiction of the Alston marriage as loveless and somewhat abusive, when all evidence and documentation indicates that it, in fact, was a very loving, healthy relationship. Seton’s characterizations of the south and of Southerners are more representative of Seton’s own cultural bias than of historical record, and her characterization of Theodosia herself is representative of expectations regarding the role of women during Seton’s era – but not of the woman Theodosia is reputed to have been.

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