Custer, Elizabeth Bacon (1842–1933)
Custer, Elizabeth Bacon (1842–1933)
American writer. Name variations: Libbie Bacon. Born Elizabeth Bacon, April 8, 1842, at Monroe, Michigan; died April 4, 1933; dau. of Judge Daniel Bacon and Eleanor Sophia (Page) Bacon; graduate of Young Ladies' Seminary and Collegiate Institute in Monroe; m. George Armstrong Custer (Civil War brigadier general), Feb 9, 1864.
Traveled with husband to frontier posts, socialized with politicians, and actively promoted his career; following husband's death at the battle of Little Bighorn (1876), supported herself by lecturing and writing; championed the memory of her husband and defended his reputation in such books as Boots and Saddles, or Life in Dakota with General Custer (1885), Tenting on the Plains (1887) and Following the Guidon (1890).
See also Shirley A. Leckie, Elizabeth Bacon Custer: And the Making of a Myth (U. of Oklahoma Press, 1993) and Arlene Reynolds, ed., The Civil War Memories of Elizabeth Bacon Custer (U. of Texas Press, 1994).