Confederate Cousins of Mary Todd Lincoln, Robert Barr Todd and Robert Levi Todd

From Spirits  of Mizzou  Robert L. Todd and Robert Barr Todd

Both men were first cousins of Mary Todd Lincoln.

These two men constituted the whole first graduating class of what today is known as the University of Missouri.  "Little Bob Todd" as Robert Levi Todd was known, was class valedictorian; Robert B. Todd ("Big Bob Todd") was salutatorian.

Robert B. Todd moved to Louisiana  and eventually became a justice on the state supreme court

Robert L. remained in Boone County, (where the university is located) becoming the university's first Tutor,  and serving fifteen years as Curator and 25 years as Secretary of the Board of Curators (they are the ones who run the university).

An often-repeated story claims that Robert Levi Todd saved the university from burning during the Civil War, using his connections with President Lincoln to prevent Union Colonel Lewis Merrill from putting the whole town of Columbia to flames.

An early voice for the university's alumni, Todd was instrumental in creating the Alumni Association and served as its first president in 1885-1886.

Robert L. Todd continued to be one of the University of Missouri's strongest supporters until he died in Columbia in 1898.

Actually, it is possible that Robert Levi Todd wasn't a Confederate.

--Old Secesh