Hey there! I’m John Green, and today we’re diving into an intriguing topic: people who married their first cousins. You might have heard about famous people marrying their cousins, but sometimes these lists can be a bit confusing. For example, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt were actually fifth cousins once removed, which is quite different from first cousins. Let’s explore some interesting stories of first cousin marriages and learn a bit about family trees along the way!
Before we jump into the stories, let’s clarify what we mean by cousins. Your first cousin is the child of your aunt or uncle. If you go up a generation, your great uncle’s grandchild would be your second cousin. Today, we’re focusing on first cousin marriages and first cousins once removed.
Did you know that more than 10% of marriages worldwide are between first or second cousins? In the United States, the legality of cousin marriage varies by state. For instance, it’s illegal in Mississippi and West Virginia but legal in New York and Connecticut.
So, is there anything wrong with cousin marriage? That’s a question for you to ponder and discuss. Thanks for joining me on this fascinating journey through history and family trees!
Using a blank sheet of paper or a digital tool, create a family tree that includes at least three generations. Identify the relationships between family members, such as first cousins, second cousins, and cousins once removed. This will help you understand the concept of cousin relationships better.
Choose one of the historical figures mentioned in the article who married their cousin. Research their life and marriage, and prepare a short presentation or report on how their cousin marriage influenced their personal and professional life.
Form two groups in your class. One group will argue in favor of cousin marriage, while the other will argue against it. Use historical, cultural, and scientific perspectives to support your arguments. This will help you develop critical thinking and public speaking skills.
Create a map of the United States highlighting the states where cousin marriage is legal and illegal. Use different colors to indicate the legality in each state. This activity will enhance your understanding of how laws vary across regions.
Write a short story or a fictional diary entry from the perspective of someone who married their cousin. Explore their thoughts, feelings, and the societal reactions they might face. This will help you practice creative writing and empathy.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, I’m John Green, welcome to my Salon. Today we’re going to learn about 31 people who married their first cousins. You see these lists periodically, but they often include any kind of cousin, which can be misleading. For example, Franklin Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt were fifth cousins once removed.
By the way, second cousins or third cousins look like this on a family tree, whereas first cousins once or twice removed look like this; basically, your uncle’s child is your first cousin, while your great uncle’s grandchild would be your second cousin. Today, we’re just focusing on straightforward first cousin marriages, and first cousins once removed.
1. Josiah Bartlett, a doctor and the second signer of the Declaration of Independence after John Hancock, married his cousin Mary, with whom he had 12 children. He is also a fictional ancestor of President Josiah “Jed” Bartlett in the show “The West Wing.”
2. William Whipple, another signer of the American Declaration of Independence from New Hampshire, married his first cousin Catherine. Whipple is perhaps less famous than his slave, Prince Whipple, who fought alongside him in the American Revolution; Prince’s heroism led William to believe that it was impossible to fight for liberty while holding slaves, so he freed him.
3. John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada, was married to his cousin Isabella before her death in 1857.
4. Noted naturalist Charles Darwin was married to his first cousin Emma for over 40 years. Emma was an accomplished pianist who took lessons from Frederic Chopin. Darwin, who suffered from a mysterious stomach illness, wrote “On the Origin of Species.” They were both grandchildren of Josiah Wedgewood, who made a fortune in the pottery business.
5. Werner Von Braun was also married to his first cousin. He helped develop rocket technology and later worked for NASA. He proposed marriage to his 18-year-old cousin Maria, and they had three children together.
6. Peruvian Nobel Prize laureate Mario Vargas Llosa married his first cousin Patricia, and they celebrated their golden anniversary in 2015.
7. Another Nobel laureate, Frenchman Andre Gide, was married to his first cousin Madeleine for many years, but their marriage was never consummated.
8. Edgar Allan Poe married his 13-year-old cousin Virginia Eliza Clemm in 1836. Many biographers believe their relationship was more like a brother-sister bond, and they remained married until Virginia’s death from tuberculosis at the age of 24.
9. H.G. Wells, who wrote “The Time Machine,” married his cousin Isabel in 1891, but they separated three years later.
10. Igor Stravinsky, a significant composer of the 20th century, married his first cousin Yekatarina, despite opposition from the Russian Orthodox Church.
11. Sergei Rachmaninoff married his cousin Natalia in 1902 and remained married to her for over 40 years.
12. Abraham Maslow, known for the hierarchy of needs, married his cousin Bertha and remarked that his life began with marriage.
13. British explorer Sir Vivian Fuchs, who completed the first overland crossing of Antarctica in 1958, was married to his cousin Joyce.
14. Greta Scacchi, known for her roles in “Emma” and “Presumed Innocent,” had a brief marriage to Vincent D’Onofrio before marrying her first cousin Carlo.
15. Christopher Robin Milne, who inspired his father A.A. Milne to write “Winnie the Pooh,” resented his connection to the character and had a strained relationship with his mother due to his marriage to her brother’s daughter Lesley.
16. Madeline Milhaud wrote the libretti for operas composed by her husband and cousin, Darius Milhaud.
17. Noted outlaw Jesse James was married to his cousin Zee James.
18. Jerry Lee Lewis married his cousin’s daughter, Myra, when she was just 13 years old. This marriage caused a scandal and affected his career.
19. Other notable figures who married their cousins include John C. Calhoun, William Elery, Martin Van Buren, and Samuel Morse.
20. Isaac and Rebecca in Genesis represent another first cousin relationship, often cited in discussions about cousin marriage.
21. Richard III and Anne Neville were also first cousins, with a tumultuous marriage according to historical accounts.
22. George I was married to his first cousin Sophia, but they divorced, and he imprisoned her for adultery.
23. George IV had a troubled marriage to his first cousin Caroline, and they eventually separated.
24. Queen Victoria was married to her first cousin Prince Albert.
25. Albert Einstein’s second marriage was to his cousin Elsa.
26. Andrew Jackson Donelson, President Andrew Jackson’s nephew, married his cousin Emily Tennessee Donelson, who became First Lady.
27. Carlo Gambino, a prominent mafia member, was married to his cousin Catherine.
28. Lastly, Saddam Hussein’s first marriage was arranged when he was five years old to his cousin.
Now, regarding the legality and ethics of cousin marriage: More than 10% of all marriages worldwide are between first or second cousins. In the U.S., cousin marriage laws vary by state. For example, it is illegal in Mississippi and West Virginia but legal in New York and Connecticut.
In conclusion, is there anything wrong with cousin marriage? That’s a question I won’t answer, but I’m sure you will share your opinions in the comments. Thanks for watching, and best wishes!
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This version removes any inappropriate language and maintains a respectful tone throughout.
Cousins – Relatives who are the children of one’s aunts or uncles – In many cultures, cousins often play a significant role in family gatherings and celebrations.
Marriage – A legally or formally recognized union between two people as partners in a personal relationship – Throughout history, marriage has been an important institution that often influences social and economic structures.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs – Understanding history helps us learn from past mistakes and successes to shape a better future.
Family – A group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption – The concept of family can vary greatly across different cultures and societies.
Ethics – Moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity – In sociology, ethics are crucial when conducting research to ensure the well-being and rights of participants are protected.
Legality – The quality or state of being in accordance with the law – The legality of certain actions can change over time as societies evolve and new laws are enacted.
Stories – Accounts of past events or experiences, often shared to convey cultural or moral lessons – Oral stories have been a vital way of preserving history and traditions in many societies.
Independence – The state of being free from outside control or not subject to another’s authority – The struggle for independence has been a central theme in the history of many nations.
Relationships – The way in which two or more people or groups regard and behave toward each other – Sociology examines how relationships within a society can influence individual behavior and societal norms.
Sociology – The study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society – Sociology provides insights into how social institutions and relationships affect human behavior and culture.
