[Non-Sequitur]

First, don't put words in my mouth. I certainly would never describe Davis as positive or optimistic. Fanatical and narrow-minded, perhaps. Certainly the one man most responsible for the death of the confederacy. But that's about it.

Second, if you do your novel about Davis and his wife be sure to include the estrangement between the two that dated from the mid-1860s and lasted until his death.

[smug]

First, don't put words in my mouth. I certainly would never describe Davis as positive or optimistic.

You mean my guess as to what you meant was WRONG. 8^) Those traits in Davis were faults in his case, he carried them to far. Probably from dealing, or in his case not dealing with the death of his first wife. Don't worry about the other part, I am under no delusion that if I finish it, it would be published.

[rustbucket]

Second, if you do your novel about Davis and his wife be sure to include the estrangement between the two that dated from the mid-1860s and lasted until his death.

Perhaps you could provide a citation for this estrangement. You certainly couldn't tell that from their correspondence when he traveled on business over those years. See Jefferson Davis, Private Letters 1823-1889 by Hudson Strode. The letters are full of affection for each other and occasional comments about Varina's feeble health.