13 historical figures who were married to their relatives

In the culture of many countries it is not customary to conclude a marriage between cousins or second cousins and sisters, and where-if not illegal. However, public disapproval and, if anything, the medical evidence seems to be a little worried about some people who somehow left their mark in history.

So, 13 famous men and women who were married with close relatives other than by reason of great love.

Jesse James

Gangster, robber and murderer Jesse James was probably the most popular criminal in American history. The attitude was ambiguous: someone recognized his almost Robin hood of the Wild West, someone is deservedly considered him a murderer who should suffer the highest punishment.

In one of the quiet periods of his career Jesse James was recovering from wounds from his uncle, where he was attended to by a cousin Zerelda Mimms. Young fell in love with each other. After 9 years of courtship, April 24, 1874, James married sweetheart. The couple had a son, Jesse Edward, daughter Mary, Susan, and twins who died in infancy.

Igor Fedorovich Stravinsky

Russian composer, born in 1882, is considered one of the most influential figures in music of the twentieth century. Stravinsky fell in love with his cousin Yekaterina Gavrilovna Nosenko even in adolescence. In 1905 the couple wanted to get married, but met resistance from the Church. Despite all obstacles, love married in 1906, and they had children.

Franklin Roosevelt

The 32nd American President is in line with such revered figures in the United States, like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Roosevelt was President from 1933 to 1945.

Johann Sebastian Bach

One of the greatest composers in history also did not resist the temptations and fully gave in to love. In 1707, shortly after taking the position of organist in the Church. Blasius in mühlhausen, Bach married his cousin Maria Barbara Bach. Of their life together, little is known. The couple had seven children, four of whom survived, and two have even become composers like their father. Maria died 13 years later, and after a year and a half, Bach married the singer Anna Magdalena Fork.

Herbert George Wells

Thomas Jefferson

Another President on our list, this time third in the period from 1801 to 1809. A graduate of the College of William and Mary and a practicing lawyer, Jefferson was one of the authors of the Declaration of independence.

Married widowed third cousin of sister Martha Wales Skelton in 1772. A happy marriage, which had six children, lasted until the death of Martha at the age of 33 years. More Jefferson did not marry, and the role of first lady in the White house was performed by his daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, named in honor of his mother.

Albert Einstein

One of the most famous scientists in the world married a second time to his cousin on his mother and father second cousin Elsa Einstein in 1919, after a seven-year relationship. The couple emigrated to the United States in 1933, and three years later Elsa died from heart problems. This marriage had no children.

Charles Darwin

The scientist was one of the most influential figures in world history. It is unknown whether guided by Darwin's principle "survival of the fittest" when choosing a wife, but he married his cousin Emma Wedgwood. The couple had 10 children, three died in infancy, the others were extremely painful, and the scientist feared that the reason was closely related to the relationship. However, many of his children and grandchildren have achieved considerable success in life.

Edgar Allan PoE

Founder of the detective genre Edgar Allan PoE was born in Boston in 1809, earned writing activities until his death at the age of 40 years.

In 27 years, the author married his 13 year old cousin Virginia Terminals. After the secret marriage ceremony in 1835, the couple led a quiet life. After five years of unsuccessful treatment of the Terminals has died at the age of 24 in 1847. It is believed that serious illness of his wife and alcohol abuse strongly influenced the work of the writer, who followed his wife two years later.

Jerry Lee Lewis

American singer and one of the founders of rock ' n ' roll in 1957, at the height of his career, married his 13 year old cousin Myra Gale brown. Despite assurances that the girl at the time still had 15 years of reputation were irreparably damaged. His songs have stopped putting a radio station, the public turned away from him. In the 1960s, Lewis has regained popularity, however, of former fame never reached.

Queen Elizabeth II

In 1934, long before becoming the reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II met Philip, a Greek and Danish Prince. The couple got married, and they had four children. Elizabeth and Philip have each other, a third cousin of brother and sister.

Queen Victoria

Victoria became Queen at the age of 18 years, after three older brothers and father died, making it one of the youngest heirs to the British throne.

In 1840 the Queen married cousin albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. A 20-year marriage, which had nine children, was a happy and durable. It was a place not only of love and debt to the UK, but the dangers — the Prince consort was closed twice a Queen from a bullet. At the age of 42 years, albert died of infection, but Queen Victoria to the end of life mourned.

Christopher Robin Milne

The son of writer Alan Milne and Christopher Robin prototype in a collection of stories about Winnie-the-Pooh had trouble getting along with their parents, obviously due to the fact that in childhood they are not too interested, especially the mother. In 1948 Christopher Milne married his cousin Leslie Selincourt, despite the resistance of parents. In 1956, the couple had the first and only daughter Claire, who later was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. By the way, the mother of Christopher haven't spoken to him for 15 years, until his death.