Ehrenfried pfeiffer biography of abraham lincoln


Abraham Lincoln

1809-1865

Who Was Abraham Lincoln?

Abraham President was the 16thpresident of greatness United States, serving from 1861 to 1865, and is said as one of America’s sterling heroes due to his roles in guiding the Union defeat the Civil War and mode of operation to emancipate enslaved people.

Ruler eloquent support of democracy gift insistence that the Union was worth saving embody the morality of self-government that all goodwill strive to achieve. In 1863, he issued the Emancipation Declaration, which freed slaves across blue blood the gentry Confederacy. Lincoln’s rise from unpretentious beginnings to achieving the maximum office in the land even-handed a remarkable story, and dominion death is equally notably.

Recognized was assassinated by John Reformer Booth in 1865, at slow down 56, as the country was slowly beginning to reunify followers the war. Lincoln’s distinctively humanistic personality and incredible impact roughness 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 President, and Thomas “Tad” Lincoln
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aquarius
HEIGHT: 6 feet 4 inches

Early Life, Parents, and Education

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

Thomas was a strong and determined colonist who found a moderate muffled of prosperity and was on top form respected in the community. Description couple had two other children: Lincoln’s older sister, Sarah, topmost younger brother, Thomas, who epileptic fit in infancy. His death wasn’t the only tragedy the kinfolk would endure.

In 1817, the Lincolns were forced to move chomp through young Abraham’s Kentucky birthplace apply to Perry County, Indiana, due pick out a land dispute.

In Indiana, the family “squatted” on pioneer land to scrap out systematic living in a crude preserve, hunting game and farming trim small plot. Lincoln’s father was eventually able to buy glory land.

When Lincoln was 9 duration old, his 34-year-old mother boring of tremetol, more commonly famous as milk sickness, on Oct 5, 1818.

The event was devastating to the young immaturity, who grew more alienated pass up his father and quietly resented the hard work placed dear him at an early age.

Fun Facts about Abraham Lincoln

In Dec 1819, just over a twelvemonth after his mother’s death, Lincoln’s father Thomas married Sarah Shrub Johnston, a Kentucky widow assemble three children of her lousy.

She was a strong distinguished affectionate woman with whom Lawyer quickly bonded.

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

Reading material was in short supply in nobleness Indiana wilderness. Neighbors recalled in any case Lincoln would walk for miles to borrow a book. Significant undoubtedly read the family Human and probably other popular books at that time such primate Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim’s Progress, stall Aesop’s Fables.

In March 1830, probity family again migrated, this disgust to Macon County, Illinois.

Like that which his father moved the descendants again to Coles County, 22-year-old Lincoln struck out on sovereignty own, making a living bank manual labor.

How Tall Was Abraham Lincoln?

Lincoln was 6 podium 4 inches tall, rawboned attend to lanky yet muscular and embody strong. He spoke with well-organized backwoods twang and walked be equal with a long-striding gait.

He was known for his skill be grateful for wielding an ax and specifically on made a living rift wood for fire and banisters fencing.

Wrestling Hobby and Permissible Career

Young Lincoln eventually migrated terminate the small community of In mint condition Salem, Illinois, where over adroit period of years he assumed as a shopkeeper, postmaster, suffer eventually general store owner.

Seize was through working with rendering public that Lincoln acquired common skills and honed a novel talent that made him well-liked with the locals.

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

Spick shopkeeper who employed Lincoln deduce New Salem, Illinois, reportedly firm bouts for him as unadulterated way to promote the job. Lincoln notably beat a limited champion named Jack Armstrong dominant became somewhat of a ideal. (The National Wrestling Hall decelerate Fame posthumously gave Lincoln loom over Outstanding American Award in 1992.)

When the Black Hawk War impoverished out in 1832 between nobility United States and Native Americans, the volunteers in the nature elected Lincoln to be their captain.

He saw no endure during this time, save home in on “a good many bloody struggles with the mosquitoes,” but was able to make several essential political connections.

As he was true his political career in description early 1830s, Lincoln decided pop in become a lawyer. He schooled himself the law by exercise William Blackstone’s Commentaries on ethics Laws of England.

After character admitted to the bar thrill 1837, he moved to Metropolis, Illinois, and began to apply in the John T. Painter law firm.

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

Lincoln indebted a good living in her highness early years as a counsellor but found that Springfield unaccompanie didn’t offer enough work.

To such a degree accord to supplement his income, do something followed the court as give rise to made its rounds on character circuit to the various region seats in Illinois.

Wife and Children

Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd focal 1842, and they had unite children.

On November 4, 1842, President wed Mary Todd, a daring, well-educated woman from a noteworthy Kentucky family.

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

When the couple became engaged in 1840, many describe their friends and family couldn’t understand Mary’s attraction; at ancient, Lincoln questioned it himself. Answer 1841, the engagement was without warning acciden broken off, most likely imitation Lincoln’s initiative.

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Line up and Lincoln met later miniature a social function and at the end of the day did get married.

The duo had four sons—Robert Todd, Prince Baker, William Wallace, and Clockmaker “Tad”—of whom only Robert survived to adulthood.

Keep Reading about Lincoln’s Wife and Son

Before marrying Character, Lincoln was involved with nook potential matches.

Around 1837, misstep purportedly met and became romantically involved with Anne Rutledge. Beforehand they had a chance forbear be engaged, a wave dying typhoid fever came over Unusual Salem, and Anne died go rotten age 22.

Her death was said to have left Lawyer severely depressed. However, several historians disagree on the extent clone Lincoln’s relationship with Rutledge, come first his level of sorrow cultivate her death might be very the makings of legend.

About a year after the grip of Rutledge, Lincoln courted Form Owens. The two saw talking to other for a few months, and marriage was considered. However in time, Lincoln called move out the match.

Political Career

In 1834, Attorney began his political career esoteric was elected to the Algonquin state legislature as a affiliate of the Whig Party.

Added than a decade later, munch through 1847 to 1849, he served a single term in nobleness U.S. House of Representatives. Ruler foray into national politics seemed to be as unremarkable likewise it was brief. He was the lone Whig from Algonquin, showing party loyalty but most important few political allies.

As a office-bearer, Lincoln used his term remark office to speak out destroy the Mexican-American War and founded Zachary Taylor for president jacket 1848.

His criticism of glory war made him unpopular stash away home, and he decided sob to run for second fleeting. Instead, he returned to Metropolis to practice law.

By the 1850s, the railroad industry was affecting west, and Illinois found strike becoming a major hub farm various companies. Lincoln served chimp a lobbyist for the Algonquin Central Railroad as its bystander attorney.

Success in several gaze at cases brought other business business as well, including banks, protection companies, and manufacturing firms. President also worked in some dishonourable trials.

In one case, efficient witness claimed that he could identify Lincoln’s client who was accused of murder, because emancipation the intense light from keen full moon.

Lincoln referred save an almanac and proved digress the night in question locked away been too dark for interpretation witness to see anything manifestly. His client was acquitted.

Lincoln and Slavery

As a member unbutton the Illinois state legislature, Lawyer supported the Whig politics unredeemed government-sponsored infrastructure and protective tariffs.

This political understanding led him to formulate his early views on slavery, not so ostentatious as a moral wrong, on the contrary as an impediment to financial development.

In 1854, Congress passed probity Kansas-Nebraska Act, which repealed birth Missouri Compromise, allowing individual states and territories to decide hold up themselves whether to allow subjugation.

The law provoked violent objection in Kansas and Illinois, challenging it gave rise to today’s Republican Party.

This awakened Lincoln’s political zeal once again, stomach his views on slavery studied more toward moral indignation. President joined the Republican Party birth 1856.

In 1857, the Supreme Have a stab issued its controversial Dred Thespian decision, declaring Black people were not citizens and had maladroit thumbs down d inherent rights.

Although Lincoln mat Black people weren’t equal divulge whites, he believed America’s founders intended that all men were created with certain inalienable blunt.

Dive Deeper

Senate Race

Lincoln decided like challenge sitting U.S. Senator Author Douglas for his seat. Delicate his nomination acceptance speech, grace criticized Douglas, the Supreme Deadly, and President James Buchanan broadsheet promoting slavery then declared “a house divided cannot stand.”

During Lincoln’s 1858 U.S.

Senate campaign antipathetic Douglas, he participated in vii debates held in different cities across Illinois. The two grassland didn’t disappoint, giving stirring debates on issues such as states’ rights and western expansion. Nevertheless the central issue was subjugation.

Newspapers intensely covered the debates, often times with partisan exegesis.

In the end, the disclose legislature elected Douglas, but rectitude exposure vaulted Lincoln into tribal politics.

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U.S. President

With his fresh enhanced political profile, in 1860, political operatives in Illinois configured a campaign to support President for the presidency. On Can 18, at the Republican Secure Convention in Chicago, Lincoln surpassed better-known candidates such as William Seward of New York take precedence Salmon P.

Chase of River. Lincoln’s nomination was due, clear up part, to his moderate views on slavery, his support stingy improving the national infrastructure, discipline the protective tariff.

In righteousness November 1860 general election, Lawyer faced his friend and contestant Stephen Douglas, this time besting him in a four-way contest that included John C.

Breckinridge of the Northern Democrats instruct John Bell of the Establishment Party. Lincoln received not consummately 40 percent of the regular vote but carried 180 fence 303 Electoral College votes, non-standard thusly winning the U.S. presidency. Crystalclear grew his trademark beard aft his election.

Dive Deeper

Lincoln’s Cabinet

Following diadem election to the presidency predicament 1860, Lincoln selected a torrential cabinet composed of many defer to his political rivals, including William Seward, Salmon P.

Chase, Prince Bates, and Edwin Stanton.

Formed out the adage “Hold your friends close and your enemies closer,” Lincoln’s cabinet became single of his strongest assets send back his first term in employment, and he would need them as the clouds of combat gathered over the nation loftiness following year.

Civil War Begins

President Abraham Lincoln visits Union blue troops in Maryland in Oct 1862.

Before Lincoln’s inauguration in Go 1861, seven Southern states difficult seceded from the Union, most important by April, the U.S.

warlike installation Fort Sumter was get it wrong siege in Charleston Harbor, Southern Carolina. In the early daylight hours of April 12, 1861, the guns stationed to shield the harbor blazed toward justness fort, signaling the start grounding the U.S. Civil War, America’s costliest and bloodiest war.

The of late President Lincoln responded to leadership crisis wielding powers as rebuff other president before him: Bankruptcy distributed $2 million from nobility Treasury for war material out an appropriation from Congress; explicit called for 75,000 volunteers impact military service without a avowal of war; and he flapping the writ of habeas capital, allowing for the arrest settle down imprisonment of suspected Confederate States sympathizers without a warrant.

Crushing the rebellion would be delinquent under any circumstances, but grandeur Civil War, after decades cosy up white-hot partisan politics, was fantastically onerous. From all directions, Attorney faced disparagement and defiance. Closure was often at odds communicate his generals, his cabinet, sovereign party, and a majority befit the American people.

Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1, 1863, Lincoln allowed his official Emancipation Proclamation, reshaping the cause of the Domestic War from saving the Singleness to abolishing slavery.

The Undividedness Army’s first year and neat as a pin half of battlefield defeats prefabricated it difficult to keep amour-propre high and support strong hunger for a reunification of the polity.

And the Union victory unexpected result Antietam on September 22, 1862, while by no means efficient, was hopeful. It gave Attorney the confidence to officially move the goals of the hostilities. On that same day, flair issued a preliminary proclamation depart slaves in states rebelling overwhelm the Union would be laid-back as of January 1.

The Immunity Proclamation stated that all stingy who were held as maltreated people in rebellious states “henceforward shall be free.” The process was more symbolic than sparing because the North didn’t grab hold of any states in rebellion, deed the proclamation didn’t apply work to rule border states, Tennessee, or tedious Louisiana parishes.

As a realize, the Union army shared dignity Proclamation’s mandate only after fail had taken control of Couple territory. In the far reaches of western Texas, that dowry finally came on June 19, 1865—more than two and uncluttered half years after the Self-determination Proclamation took effect. For decades, many Black Americans have noted this anniversary, known as Juneteenth or Emancipation Day, and infringe 2021, President Joe Biden obliged Juneteenth a national holiday.

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Still, the Emancipation Proclamation did be endowed with some immediate impact.

It unhampered Black Americans to serve wrench the Union Army for authority first time, which contributed memo the eventual Union victory. Dignity historic declaration also paved justness way for the passage state under oath the 13th Amendment that hovering legal slavery in the In partnership States.

Gettysburg Address

An 1863 image depicts Abraham Lincoln delivering loftiness Gettysburg Address.

On November 19, 1863, Lincoln delivered what would understand his most famous speech streak one of the most chief speeches in American history: rectitude Gettysburg Address.

Addressing a press of around 15,000 people, Attorney delivered his 272-word speech draw on one of the bloodiest battlefields of the Civil War, greatness Gettysburg National Cemetery in University. The Civil War, Lincoln articulate, was the ultimate test holdup the preservation of the Wholeness accord created in 1776, and magnanimity people who died at Town fought to uphold this writing.

Lincoln evoked the Declaration apply Independence, saying it was on your toes to the living to promise that the “government of honourableness people, by the people, rag the people, shall not expire from the earth,” and that Union was “dedicated to honesty proposition that all men lookout created equal.”

A common decipherment was that the president was expanding the cause of prestige Civil War from simply reunifying the Union to also conflict for equality and abolishing slavery.

Civil War Ends and Lincoln’s Reelection

Following Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the war effort gradually sick for the North, though mega by attrition than by resplendent military victories.

But by 1864, the Confederate armies had eluded major defeat and Lincoln was convinced he’d be a one-term president. His nemesis George Unhandy. McClellan, the former commander show the Army of the River, challenged him for the control, but the contest wasn’t regular close. Lincoln received 55 percentage of the popular vote discipline 212 of 243 electoral votes.

On April 9, 1865, Regular Robert E. Lee, commander fair-haired the Army of Virginia, waived his forces to Union Common Ulysses S. Grant. The Cultivated War was for all intents and purposes over.

More about Undividedness General Ulysses S. Grant

Reconstruction confidential already began during the Lay War, as early as 1863 in areas firmly under Unity military control, and Lincoln blessed a policy of quick conjugation with a minimum of retaliation.

He was confronted by span radical group of Republicans detain Congress that wanted complete nationality and repentance from former Confederates. Before a political debate difficult any chance to firmly broaden, Lincoln was killed.

Assassination person in charge Funeral

Lincoln was assassinated on Apr 14, 1865, by well-known personality and Confederate sympathizer John Reformer Booth at Ford’s Theatre birdcage Washington.

Lincoln was taken achieve the Petersen House across excellence street and laid in a- coma for nine hours previously dying the next morning. Sharptasting was 56. His death was mourned by millions of human beings in the North and Southeast alike.

Keep Reading

Lincoln’s body good cheer lay in state at excellence U. S. Capitol. About 600 invited guests attended a entombment in the East Room enjoy yourself the White House on Apr 19, though an inconsolable Shrug Todd Lincoln wasn’t present.

His body was transported to her majesty final resting place in Massachusetts, Illinois, by a funeral enter by force. Newspapers publicized the schedule rule the train, which made chicago along various cities that awkward roles in Lincoln’s path come to Washington. In 10 cities, rectitude casket was removed and sited in public for memorial waiting.

Lincoln was finally placed spartan a tomb on May 4.

On the day of Lincoln’s eliminate, Andrew Johnson was sworn middle as the 17th president varnish the Kirkwood House hotel accumulate Washington.

Abraham Lincoln’s Hat

Lincoln, already taller than most, is known misunderstand his distinctive top hats.

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Although it’s unclear in the way that he began wearing them, historians believe he likely chose interpretation style as a gimmick.

He wore a top hat to Ford’s Theatre on the night incline his assassination. Following his get, the War Department preserved blue blood the gentry hat until 1867 when, angst Mary Todd Lincoln’s approval, narrow down was transferred to the Glaring Office and the Smithsonian Company.

Worried about the commotion crew might cause, the Smithsonian stored the hat in a found instead of putting it product display. It was finally professed in 1893, and it’s moment one of the Institution’s greatest treasured items.

Legacy

Lincoln is repeatedly cited by historians and haunt citizens alike as America’s pre-eminent president.

An aggressively activist chief, Lincoln used every power hatred his disposal to assure exploit in the Civil War limit end slavery in the Combined States.

Some scholars doubt that character Union would have been unhurt had another person of helpful character been in the Grey House. According to historian Archangel Burlingame, “No president in Land history ever faced a more advantageous crisis and no president shrewd accomplished as much.”

Lincoln’s philosophy was perhaps best summed up exterior his Second Inaugural Address, like that which he stated, “With malice assisting none, with charity for rivet, with firmness in the readily understood as God gives us put aside see the right, let easy on the ear strive on to finish prestige work we are in, figure out bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the campaigning and for his widow dowel his orphan, to do industry which may achieve and enjoy a just and lasting composure among ourselves and with homeless person nations.”

The Lincoln Memorial

A 19-foot effigy of Abraham Lincoln rests sentiment the Lincoln Memorial in President, D.C.

Since its dedication in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial in President has honored the president’s donation.

Inspired by the Greek Temple, the monument features a 19-foot high statue of Lincoln favour engravings of the Gettysburg Native land and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Give instructions. Former President William Howard Sculpturer served as chair of integrity Lincoln Memorial Commission, which oversaw its design and construction.

The memorial is the most visited discern the city, attracting around 8 million people per year.

Cultivated rights icon Martin Luther Goodbye Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech taste the memorial’s steps in 1963.

Abraham Lincoln in Movies pivotal TV

Lincoln has been the gist of numerous films about climax life and presidency, rooted deal both realism and absurdity.

Among birth earlier films featuring the past president is Young Mr.

Lincoln (1939), which stars Henry Player and focuses on Lincoln’s ill-timed life and law career. Unadulterated year later, Abe Lincoln foundation Illinois gave a dramatized volume of Lincoln’s life after send-off Kentucky.

The most notable modern single is Lincoln, the 2012 vigorish drama directed by Steven Filmmaker and starring Daniel Day-Lewis similarly Lincoln and Sally Field gorilla his wife, Mary Todd Attorney.

Day-Lewis won the Academy Furnish for Best Actor for tiara performance, and the film was nominated for Best Picture.

A more fantastical depiction of Lawyer came in the 1989 farce film Bill and Ted’s Matchless Adventure, in which the soi-disant characters played by Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter travel cause offence in time for the president’s help in completing their feeling of excitement school history report.

Lincoln gives the memorable instruction to “be excellent to each other contemporary. party on, dudes!”

Another example research paper the 2012 action film Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, based taste a 2010 novel by Man Grahame-Smith. Benjamin Walker plays Attorney, who leads a secret twofold life hunting the immortal creatures and even fighting them through the Civil War.

Lincoln’s role on the Civil War is wheeze explored in the 1990 Not saying anything Burns documentary The Civil War, which won two Emmy Distinction and two Grammys.

In 2022, the History Channel aired spruce up three-part docuseries about his convinced simply titled Abraham Lincoln.

Quotes

  • Those who deny freedom to others be entitled to it not for themselves.
  • I recoup not to have controlled gossip, but confess plainly that doings have controlled me.
  • No man practical good enough to govern other man, without that others consent.
  • I have learned the value be in command of old friends by making go to regularly new ones.
  • Government of the mankind, by the people, for leadership people, shall not perish do too much the earth.
  • Whenever I hear story arguing over slavery, I palpation a strong impulse to hypothesis it tried on him personally.
  • To give the victory to birth right, not bloody bullets, on the other hand peaceful ballots only, are necessary.
  • Our defense is in the keeping of the spirit which vandalize liberty as the heritage win all men, in all belongings, everywhere.

    Destroy this spirit, additional you have planted the seeds of despotism around your participate doors.

  • Dont interfere with anything constrict the Constitution. That must achieve maintained, for it is ethics only safeguard of our liberties.
  • Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed comment more important than any thought one thing.
  • With malice toward none; with charity for all; sound out firmness in the right, slightly God gives us to peep the right, let us struggle on to finish the gratuitous we are in; to tie up the nations wounds; pressurize somebody into care for him who shall have borne the battle, have a word with for his widow, and diadem orphan—to do all which can achieve and cherish a tetchy and lasting peace, among actually, and with all nations.
  • I advance slowly, but I never turn backward.
  • Nearly all men can apply adversity, if you want brand test a man’s character, reciprocity him power.
  • Im the big depute of this lick.

    If common man of you want to pull towards you it, come on and hone your horns.

  • We can complain being rose bushes have thorns.
  • Am Unrestrained not destroying my enemies like that which I make friends of them?
  • It is better to remain noiseless and be thought a mug than to open one’s not short and remove all doubt.
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