Abigail McCarthy

Who was Abigail McCarthy?

Abigail Quigley McCarthy was an American academic and writer, best known as the wife of politician and presidential contender Eugene McCarthy. She predeceased her estranged husband by almost five years.

They met as teachers in Mandan, North Dakota and were wed on June 5, 1945 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their first home was in Watkins, Minnesota at an agriculture commune formed by Catholic couples. In later years, following their separation, they lived separately, however they never divorced. She had an apartment in Washington, D.C. on Connecticut Avenue, which is where she died in 2001, aged 85.