William Wallace Lincoln (December 21 1850 – February 20 1862) was the third son of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln.

William Wallace Lincoln was born about ten months after his brother Eddie died on February 1, 1850.Donald, David Herbert, Lincoln. New York; Simon and Schuster, 1995, p. 154 He was named after Dr. William Wallace, an in-law and physician who nursed Eddie Lincoln in his final days.

Lincoln was frequently arguing cases on the Illinois Judicial Circuit when his oldest son Robert was growing up. The work kept Lincoln away from home, and he never developed a close bond with Robert. By the 1850s, the development of railroads allowed him to stay in Springfield on weekends, and he grew very close to Willie and his younger brother, Tad. Both parents were fiercely proud of their children: William Herndon, Lincoln's law partner, said they would take any chance to "get them to monkey around -- talk -- dance -- speak -- quote poetry, etc." Their father would take the boys on wagon rides through Springfield and help with the babysitting, an unusual practice for men at the time.Donald, p.159 Abraham Lincoln was especially fond of Willie, who he felt had a mind like his own. The two did have a mischievous streak: When Lincoln brought them to the office, he would allow them to roam freely, and the children would turn over furniture and papers, to Herndon's consternation. During Lincoln's train ride to Washington in February of 1861, Willie and Tad would ask visitors, "Do you want to see Old Abe?" and point to someone else.Donald, p. 275

The public was not used to having children in the White House, and showered the boys with presents; Willie received a pony, to which he was devoted, and both boys loved to imitate the soldiers posted on the south lawn. When he could break away from the pressures of the office, Lincoln would often play with his children; a visitor once found Willie and Tad (and two of their friends) pinning the President of the United States to the floor.Donald, pp. 309-310

In February, 1862, both boys became ill with typhoid fever, possibly from drinking polluted water in the White House. While Tad recovered, Willie gradually declined, both of his parents spent most their time near is bedside but unfortunately Willie died on February 20, 1862. His death was a serious blow to both his parents.

Willie was intelligent, generous and kind-hearted; he would often go out of his way to allow Tad to ride his beloved pony, even though Tad was too short for it.Donald, p. 310 His death devastated his parents. Mary Lincoln could not bring herself to attend his funeral and remained bedridden for three weeks; she would not emerge in public for months afterwards. Lincoln, who had stayed at Willie's side through his illness, would shut himself in his room after his son's funeral to weep, and often had dreams of spending time with his son.Donald, p.336 He never fully recovered from the loss. On the day of his assassination, Lincoln told his wife that they must be more cheerful, as "between the war and the loss of our darling Willie, we have both been very miserable."Donald, p. 593

Willie was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown. After Lincoln's murder, William's casket was dug up and he was moved to a temporary tomb until he was finally placed in a permanent tomb with the remains of his father and his brother, Eddie, on September 19, 1871.

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