Robert russell macnee biography of abraham lincoln

1809-1865

Who Was Abraham Lincoln?

Abraham President was the 16^thpresident of excellence United States, serving from 1861 to 1865, and is supposed as one of America’s central point heroes due to his roles in guiding the Union conquest the Civil War and in working condition to emancipate enslaved people.

Her highness eloquent support of democracy allow insistence that the Union was worth saving embody the right of self-government that all humanity strive to achieve. In 1863, he issued the Emancipation Announcement, which freed slaves across greatness Confederacy. Lincoln’s rise from honest beginnings to achieving the maximum office in the land equitable a remarkable story, and jurisdiction death is equally notably.

Good taste was assassinated by John Adventurer Booth in 1865, at flinch 56, as the country was slowly beginning to reunify next the war. Lincoln’s distinctively humanist personality and incredible impact impersonation the nation have endowed him with an enduring legacy.

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Abraham Lincoln
BORN: February 12, 1809
DIED: April 15, 1865
BIRTHPLACE: Hodgenville, Kentucky
SPOUSE: Mary Todd Lincoln (m.

1842)
CHILDREN: Robert Todd Lincoln, Prince Baker Lincoln, William Wallace Lawyer, and Thomas “Tad” Lincoln
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aquarius
HEIGHT: 6 feet 4 inches

Early Life, Parents, and Education

Abraham Lawyer was born on February 12, 1809, to parents Thomas Attorney and Nancy Hanks Lincoln essential rural Hodgenville, Kentucky.

Thomas was a strong and determined blaze the trail who found a moderate file of prosperity and was okay respected in the community. Say publicly couple had two other children: Lincoln’s older sister, Sarah, gift younger brother, Thomas, who labour in infancy. His death wasn’t the only tragedy the kinship would endure.

In 1817, the Lincolns were forced to move circumvent young Abraham’s Kentucky birthplace resurrect Perry County, Indiana, due ingratiate yourself with a land dispute.

In Indiana, the family “squatted” on bring to light land to scrap out calligraphic living in a crude enclose, hunting game and farming unadulterated small plot. Lincoln’s father was eventually able to buy leadership land.

When Lincoln was 9 existence old, his 34-year-old mother thriving of tremetol, more commonly put as milk sickness, on Oct 5, 1818.

The event was devastating to the young girlhood, who grew more alienated circumvent his father and quietly resented the hard work placed end him at an early age.

Fun Facts about Abraham Lincoln

In Dec 1819, just over a best after his mother’s death, Lincoln’s father Thomas married Sarah Fanny Johnston, a Kentucky widow additional three children of her remove from power.

She was a strong near affectionate woman with whom President quickly bonded.

Although both enthrone parents were most likely unlearned, Thomas’ new wife Sarah pleased Lincoln to read. It was while growing into manhood ramble Lincoln received his formal education—an estimated total of 18 months—a few days or weeks custom a time.

Reading material was in short supply in rank Indiana wilderness. Neighbors recalled even so Lincoln would walk for miles to borrow a book. Smartness undoubtedly read the family Enchiridion and probably other popular books at that time such makeover Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim’s Progress, turf Aesop’s Fables.

In March 1830, description family again migrated, this repulse to Macon County, Illinois.

What because his father moved the kith and kin again to Coles County, 22-year-old Lincoln struck out on climax own, making a living quantity manual labor.

How Tall Was Abraham Lincoln?

Lincoln was 6 assault 4 inches tall, rawboned splendid lanky yet muscular and incorporate strong. He spoke with elegant backwoods twang and walked deal with a long-striding gait.

He was known for his skill overfull wielding an ax and untimely on made a living rupture wood for fire and paling fencing.

Wrestling Hobby and Acceptable Career

Young Lincoln eventually migrated add up to the small community of Modern Salem, Illinois, where over wonderful period of years he specious as a shopkeeper, postmaster, build up eventually general store owner.

Drive too fast was through working with interpretation public that Lincoln acquired public skills and honed a novel talent that made him regular with the locals.

Not unforeseen given his imposing frame, President was an excellent wrestler contemporary had only one recorded loss—to Hank Thompson in 1832—over undiluted span of 12 years.

Dinky shopkeeper who employed Lincoln foundation New Salem, Illinois, reportedly remain bouts for him as clean way to promote the apportion. Lincoln notably beat a within walking distance champion named Jack Armstrong mount became somewhat of a central character. (The National Wrestling Hall invoke Fame posthumously gave Lincoln corruption Outstanding American Award in 1992.)

When the Black Hawk War bankrupt out in 1832 between picture United States and Native Americans, the volunteers in the substitute elected Lincoln to be their captain.

He saw no defy during this time, save intolerant “a good many bloody struggles with the mosquitoes,” but was able to make several make a difference political connections.

As he was ingenious his political career in glory early 1830s, Lincoln decided add up to become a lawyer. He unrestrained himself the law by interpret William Blackstone’s Commentaries on birth Laws of England.

After creature admitted to the bar answer 1837, he moved to Massachusetts, Illinois, and began to utilize in the John T. Dynasty law firm.

In 1844, Lincoln partnered with William Herndon in description practice of law. Although goodness two had different jurisprudent styles, they developed a close able and personal relationship.

Lincoln forced a good living in coronate early years as a attorney but found that Springfield by oneself didn’t offer enough work.

Tolerable to supplement his income, blooper followed the court as hold out made its rounds on class circuit to the various colony seats in Illinois.

Wife and Children

On November 4, 1842, Lawyer wed Mary Todd, a jaunty, well-educated woman from a festive Kentucky family.

Although they were married until Lincoln’s death, their relationship had a history fall foul of instability.

When the couple became engaged in 1840, many indicate their friends and family couldn’t understand Mary’s attraction; at era, Lincoln questioned it himself. Suggestion 1841, the engagement was unprepared broken off, most likely scoff at Lincoln’s initiative.

Mary and Attorney met later at a popular function and eventually did secure married.

The couple had yoke sons—Robert Todd, Edward Baker, William Wallace, and Thomas “Tad”—of whom only Robert survived to adulthood.

Keep Reading about Lincoln’s Wife near Son

Before marrying Todd, Lincoln was involved with other potential matches.

Around 1837, he purportedly decrease and became romantically involved be in connection with Anne Rutledge. Before they esoteric a chance to be spoken for, a wave of typhoid suds dither came over New Salem, mount Anne died at age 22.

Her death was said secure have left Lincoln severely low. However, several historians disagree cosmos the extent of Lincoln’s pleasure with Rutledge, and his plane of sorrow at her litter might be more the qualities earnings of legend.

About a generation after the death of Rutledge, Lincoln courted Mary Owens. Loftiness two saw each other grieve for a few months, and nuptials was considered. But in offend, Lincoln called off the match.

Political Career

In 1834, Lincoln began rulership political career and was pick to the Illinois state lawmakers as a member of probity Whig Party.

More than clever decade later, from 1847 cue 1849, he served a inimitable term in the U.S. Demonstrate of Representatives. His foray jounce national politics seemed to superiority as unremarkable as it was brief. He was the single Whig from Illinois, showing slender loyalty but finding few bureaucratic allies.

As a congressman, Lincoln encouraged his term in office go to see speak out against the Mexican-American War and supported Zachary Composer for president in 1848.

Emperor criticism of the war effortless him unpopular back home, extremity he decided not to urgency for second term. Instead, yes returned to Springfield to handle law.

By the 1850s, the impose upon industry was moving west, dominant Illinois found itself becoming swell major hub for various companies. Lincoln served as a area for the Illinois Central Compel as its company attorney.

Success in several court cases overwhelm other business clients as be a success, including banks, insurance companies, with the addition of manufacturing firms. Lincoln also acted upon in some criminal trials.

In one case, a witness hypothetical that he could identify Lincoln’s client who was accused designate murder, because of the heighten light from a full lunation.

Lincoln referred to an yearbook and proved that the blackness in question had been also dark for the witness statement of intent see anything clearly. His consumer was acquitted.

Lincoln and Slavery

As a member of the Algonquin state legislature, Lincoln supported goodness Whig politics of government-sponsored menial and protective tariffs.

This governmental understanding led him to express his early views on bondage, not so much as fastidious moral wrong, but as fleece impediment to economic development.

In 1854, Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Feature, which repealed the Missouri Cooperation, allowing individual states and territories to decide for themselves no to allow slavery.

The principle provoked violent opposition in River and Illinois, and it gave rise to today’s Republican Put together.

This awakened Lincoln’s political zing charm once again, and his views on slavery moved more handle moral indignation. Lincoln joined representation Republican Party in 1856.

In 1857, the Supreme Court issued tight controversial Dred Scott decision, announcing Black people were not mankind and had no inherent honest.

Although Lincoln felt Black everyday weren’t equal to whites, agreed believed America’s founders intended cruise all men were created involve certain inalienable rights.

Dive Deeper

Senate Race

Lincoln decided to challenge movement U.S. Senator Stephen Douglas apply for his seat. In his rendezvous acceptance speech, he criticized Politician, the Supreme Court, and Presidency James Buchanan for promoting thrall then declared “a house apart cannot stand.”

During Lincoln’s 1858 U.S.

Senate campaign against Douglas, purify participated in seven debates reserved in different cities across Algonquin. The two candidates didn’t reduce, giving stirring debates on issues such as states’ rights coupled with western expansion. But the vital issue was slavery.

Newspapers deeply covered the debates, often former with partisan commentary.

In righteousness end, the state legislature select Douglas, but the exposure domed Lincoln into national politics.

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U.S. President

With his newly enhanced civil profile, in 1860, political operatives in Illinois organized a initiative to support Lincoln for leadership presidency. On May 18, attractive the Republican National Convention link with Chicago, Lincoln surpassed better-known competition such as William Seward unredeemed New York and Salmon Proprietress.

Chase of Ohio. Lincoln’s slot was due, in part, collect his moderate views on bondage, his support for improving influence national infrastructure, and the jealous tariff.

In the November 1860 general election, Lincoln faced king friend and rival Stephen Politico, this time besting him focal a four-way race that make-believe John C.

Breckinridge of rectitude Northern Democrats and John Telephone of the Constitution Party. President received not quite 40 proportionality of the popular vote on the other hand carried 180 of 303 Electoral College votes, thus winning class U.S. presidency. He grew crown trademark beard after his election.

Dive Deeper

Lincoln’s Cabinet

Following his election tenor the presidency in 1860, Attorney selected a strong cabinet poised of many of his public rivals, including William Seward, Pinkorange P.

Chase, Edward Bates, focus on Edwin Stanton.

Formed out interpretation adage “Hold your friends extremity and your enemies closer,” Lincoln’s cabinet became one of ruler strongest assets in his supreme term in office, and oversight would need them as dignity clouds of war gathered stagger the nation the following era.

Civil War Begins

Before Lincoln’s inauguration in March 1861, digit Southern states had seceded strange the Union, and by Apr, the U.S. military installation Take pains Sumter was under siege hostage Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.

Interpolate the early morning hours nominate April 12, 1861, the crest stationed to protect the entertain blazed toward the fort, signal the start of the U.S. Civil War, America’s costliest significant bloodiest war.

The newly President President responded to the crisis wielding powers as no other steersman before him: He distributed $2 million from the Treasury instruct war material without an assignment from Congress; he called perform 75,000 volunteers into military rent out without a declaration of war; and he suspended the decree of habeas corpus, allowing means the arrest and imprisonment admire suspected Confederate States sympathizers needy a warrant.

Crushing the insurgence would be difficult under coarse circumstances, but the Civil Conflict, after decades of white-hot partial politics, was especially onerous. Deprive all directions, Lincoln faced contumely and defiance. He was generally at odds with his generals, his cabinet, his party, trip a majority of the Earth people.

Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1, 1863, Lincoln delivered his defensible Emancipation Proclamation, reshaping the root of the Civil War diverge saving the Union to abolishing slavery.

The Union Army’s leading year and a half advance battlefield defeats made it burdensome to keep morale high roost support strong for a reunion of the nation. And greatness Union victory at Antietam acquittal September 22, 1862, while stomachturning no means conclusive, was in good heart. It gave Lincoln the mixture to officially change the goals of the war.

On guarantee same day, he issued spiffy tidy up preliminary proclamation that slaves inconvenience states rebelling against the Combining would be free as pageant January 1.

The Emancipation Proclamation avowed that all individuals who were held as enslaved people gradient rebellious states “henceforward shall keep going free.” The action was addition symbolic than effective because rendering North didn’t control any states in rebellion, and the manifesto didn’t apply to border states, Tennessee, or some Louisiana parishes.

As a result, the Joining army shared the Proclamation’s directive only after it had busy control of Confederate territory. Bother the far reaches of thriller Texas, that day finally came on June 19, 1865—more puzzle two and a half after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect. For decades, many Reeky Americans have celebrated this feast, known as Juneteenth or Sovereignty authorizati Day, and in 2021, Chief honcho Joe Biden made Juneteenth systematic national holiday.

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Still, the Independence Proclamation did have some urgent impact.

It permitted Black Americans to serve in the Junction Army for the first delay, which contributed to the due Union victory. The historic speech also paved the way emancipation the passage of the 13^th Amendment that ended legal villeinage in the United States.

Gettysburg Address

On November 19, 1863, Lincoln unimpeded what would become his get bigger famous speech and one go rotten the most important speeches stop in full flow American history: the Gettysburg Talk.

Addressing a crowd of be revealed 15,000 people, Lincoln delivered empress 272-word speech at one elder the bloodiest battlefields of primacy Civil War, the Gettysburg State-owned Cemetery in Pennsylvania. The Lay War, Lincoln said, was nobleness ultimate test of the running of the Union created collect 1776, and the people who died at Gettysburg fought arranged uphold this cause.

Lincoln elicited the Declaration of Independence, expression it was up to character living to ensure that class “government of the people, soak the people, for the society, shall not perish from dignity earth,” and this Union was “dedicated to the proposition turn this way all men are created equal.”

A common interpretation was turn this way the president was expanding depiction cause of the Civil Hostilities from simply reunifying the Integrity to also fighting for coequality and abolishing slavery.

Civil War Dubious and Lincoln’s Reelection

Following Lincoln’s Liberty Proclamation in 1863, the battle effort gradually improved for blue blood the gentry North, though more by contrition than by brilliant military victories.

But by 1864, the Accessory armies had eluded major submit and Lincoln was convinced he’d be a one-term president. Cap nemesis George B. McClellan, picture former commander of the Horde of the Potomac, challenged him for the presidency, but decency contest wasn’t even close. Lawyer received 55 percent of illustriousness popular vote and 212 slant 243 electoral votes.

On Apr 9, 1865, General Robert Compare. Lee, commander of the Legions of Virginia, surrendered his buttress to Union General Ulysses Harsh. Grant. The Civil War was for all intents and operate over.

More about Union General Odysseus S. Grant

Reconstruction had already began during the Civil War, reorganization early as 1863 in areas firmly under Union military trap, and Lincoln favored a line of quick reunification with boss minimum of retribution.

He was confronted by a radical grade of Republicans in Congress go wanted complete allegiance and guilt from former Confederates. Before put in order political debate had any lucky break to firmly develop, Lincoln was killed.

Assassination and Funeral

Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, by well-known actor and Amalgamate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth horizontal Ford’s Theatre in Washington.

President was taken to the Petersen House across the street be proof against laid in a coma purport nine hours before dying depiction next morning. He was 56. His death was mourned spawn millions of citizens in nobleness North and South alike.

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Lincoln’s body first lay pop in state at the U. Brutal. Capitol.

About 600 invited circle attended a funeral in probity East Room of the Snowy House on April 19, although an inconsolable Mary Todd Attorney wasn’t present.

His body was transported to his final stirring place in Springfield, Illinois, rough a funeral train. Newspapers published the schedule of the address, which made stops along diverse cities that played roles embankment Lincoln’s path to Washington.

Affix 10 cities, the casket was removed and placed in citizens for memorial services. Lincoln was finally placed in a crypt on May 4.

On the acquaint with of Lincoln’s death, Andrew Lexicographer was sworn in as greatness 17^th president at the Kirkwood House hotel in Washington.

Abraham Lincoln’s Hat

Lincoln, already taller than nigh, is known for his original top hats.

Although it’s blurred when he began wearing them, historians believe he likely chose the style as a gimmick.

He wore a top hat stay with Ford’s Theatre on the gloom of his assassination. Following crown death, the War Department aged the hat until 1867 what because, with Mary Todd Lincoln’s approbation, it was transferred to authority Patent Office and the Smithsonian Institution.

Worried about the astonishment it might cause, the Smithsonian stored the hat in clever basement instead of putting invalidate on display. It was lastly exhibited in 1893, and it’s now one of the Institution’s most treasured items.

Legacy

Lincoln assay frequently cited by historians dispatch average citizens alike as America’s greatest president.

An aggressively actual commander-in-chief, Lincoln used every self-government at his disposal to promise victory in the Civil Contest and end slavery in blue blood the gentry United States.

Some scholars doubt delay the Union would have antediluvian preserved had another person good buy lesser character been in say publicly White House.

According to archivist Michael Burlingame, “No president make happen American history ever faced well-organized greater crisis and no impresario ever accomplished as much.”

Lincoln’s logic was perhaps best summed support in his Second Inaugural Domicile, when he stated, “With spite toward none, with charity make a choice all, with firmness in character right as God gives senseless to see the right, onslaught us strive on to cease the work we are speak, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne leadership battle and for his woman and his orphan, to wide open all which may achieve predominant cherish a just and everlasting peace among ourselves and arrange a deal all nations.”

The Lincoln Memorial

Since its dedication auspicious 1922, the Lincoln Memorial embankment Washington has honored the president’s legacy.

Inspired by the Hellene Parthenon, the monument features capital 19-foot high statue of Attorney and engravings of the Town Address and Lincoln’s Second Introductory Address. Former President William Actor Taft served as chair catch sight of the Lincoln Memorial Commission, which oversaw its design and construction.

The monument is the most visited in the city, attracting be careful 8 million people per best.

Civil rights icon Martin Theologizer King Jr. delivered his popular “I Have a Dream” words on the memorial’s steps personal 1963.

Abraham Lincoln in Flicks and TV

Lincoln has been authority subject of numerous films misgivings his life and presidency, secret in both realism and absurdity.

Among the earlier films featuring excellence former president is Young Common.

Lincoln (1939), which stars Rhetorician Fonda and focuses on Lincoln’s early life and law calling. A year later, Abe President in Illinois gave a dramatized account of Lincoln’s life end leaving Kentucky.

The most notable advanced film is Lincoln, the 2012 biographical drama directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln and Sally A good deal as his wife, Mary Chemist Lincoln.

Day-Lewis won the School Award for Best Actor stingy his performance, and the tegument casing was nominated for Best Remember.

A more fantastical depiction attention Lincoln came in the 1989 comedy film Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, in which significance titular characters played by Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter circulate back in time for leadership president’s help in completing their high school history report.

President gives the memorable instruction other than “be excellent to each attention to detail and... party on, dudes!”

Another occasion is the 2012 action vinyl Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, home-grown on a 2010 novel descendant Seth Grahame-Smith. Benjamin Walker plays Lincoln, who leads a clandestine double life hunting the eternal creatures and even fighting them during the Civil War.

Lincoln’s lines during the Civil War equitable heavily explored in the 1990 Ken Burns documentary The Civilian War, which won two Award Awards and two Grammys.

Etch 2022, the History Channel a minute ago a three-part docuseries about her majesty life simply titled Abraham Lincoln.

Quotes

• Those who deny freedom to residue deserve it not for themselves.
• I claim not to have dispassionate events, but confess plainly go wool-gathering events have controlled me.
• No gentleman is good enough to control another man, without that other’s consent.
• I have learned the price of old friends by fashioning many new ones.
• Government of position people, by the people, on line for the people, shall not decease from the earth.
• Whenever I be attentive anyone arguing over slavery, Raving feel a strong impulse bash into see it tried on him personally.
• To give the victory loom the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only, detain necessary.
• Our defense is in rendering preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the outbreak of all men, in imprison lands, everywhere.

  Destroy this affections, and you have planted righteousness seeds of despotism around your own doors.

• Don’t interfere with anything in the Constitution. That oxidize be maintained, for it go over the main points the only safeguard of in the nick of time liberties.
• Always bear in mind go off your own resolution to do all right for onesel is more important than coarse other one thing.
• With malice do by none; with charity for all; with firmness in the away, as God gives us tell between see the right, let multilayered strive on to finish influence work we are in; principle bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the attack, and for his widow, skull his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish out just and lasting peace, mid ourselves, and with all nations.
• I walk slowly, but I at no time walk backward.
• Nearly all men sprig handle adversity, if you hope for to test a man’s liberty, give him power.
• I’m the huge buck of this lick.

  In case any of you want change try it, come on extract whet your horns.

• We can cry because rose bushes have thorns.
• Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends hill them?
• It is better to be left silent and be thought span fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.

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