My Theodosia

My Theodosia
Author(s)	Anya Seton
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre(s)	Historical Romance
Publisher	Houghton Mifflin
Publication date	1941
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages	314 pp
ISBN	N/A

My Theodosia is a novel, written by the American author Anya Seton which was first published in 1941.

It is a fictional interpretation of the life of Theodosia Burr Alston, set against an historical background of Aaron Burr's Vice Presidency of the United States, and his subsequent years.

The book focuses on the life of Theodosia: her marriage to Joseph Alston; her suggested romance with Meriwether Lewis; 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 introduces Theodosia to her soon to be husband Joseph Alston. 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, 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, 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; his working to take over Mexico, 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.^[1]

1. ^ Cote, Richard N., Theodosia Theodosia Burr Alston: Portrait of Prodigy, (2002).