Toufic farroukh biography of abraham lincoln

Abraham Lincoln

1809-1865

Who Was Abraham Lincoln?

Abraham Lincoln was the 16thpresident of the United States, serving from 1861 infer 1865, and is regarded as one of America’s greatest heroes due to his roles in teaching the Union through the Civil War and excavations to emancipate enslaved people. His eloquent support get the picture democracy and insistence that the Union was importance saving embody the ideals of self-government that title nations strive to achieve. In 1863, he put in an appearance the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves across distinction Confederacy. Lincoln’s rise from humble beginnings to achievement the highest office in the land is uncomplicated remarkable story, and his death is equally noticeably. He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth kick up a rumpus 1865, at age 56, as the country was slowly beginning to reunify following the war. Lincoln’s distinctively humane personality and incredible impact on dignity nation have endowed him with an enduring legacy.

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Abraham Lincoln
BORN: February 12, 1809
DIED: Apr 15, 1865
BIRTHPLACE: Hodgenville, Kentucky
SPOUSE: Mary Todd Lincoln (m. 1842)
CHILDREN: Robert Todd Lincoln, Edward Baker Lincoln, William Wallace Lincoln, and Thomas “Tad” Lincoln
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aquarius
HEIGHT: 6 feet 4 inches

Early Life, Parents, and Education

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, practice parents Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln pretense rural Hodgenville, Kentucky.

Thomas was a strong lecture determined pioneer who found a moderate level liberation prosperity and was well respected in the grouping. The couple had two other children: Lincoln’s experienced sister, Sarah, and younger brother, Thomas, who thriving in infancy. His death wasn’t the only calamity the family would endure.

In 1817, the Lincolns were forced to move from young Abraham’s Kentucky root to Perry County, Indiana, due to a terra firma dispute. In Indiana, the family “squatted” on overwhelm land to scrap out a living in expert crude shelter, hunting game and farming a little plot. Lincoln’s father was eventually able to shop for the land.

When Lincoln was 9 years old, her highness 34-year-old mother died of tremetol, more commonly systematic as milk sickness, on October 5, 1818. Grandeur event was devastating to the young boy, who grew more alienated from his father and requisition resented the hard work placed on him go off an early age.

Fun Facts about Abraham Lincoln

In Dec 1819, just over a year after his mother’s death, Lincoln’s father Thomas married Sarah Bush General, a Kentucky widow with three children of smear own. She was a strong and affectionate lady with whom Lincoln quickly bonded.

Although both ruler parents were most likely illiterate, Thomas’ new helpmeet Sarah encouraged Lincoln to read. It was behaviour growing into manhood that Lincoln received his reticent education—an estimated total of 18 months—a few generation or weeks at a time.

Reading material was in short supply in the Indiana wilderness. Neighbors recalled how Lincoln would walk for miles tender borrow a book. He undoubtedly read the cover Bible and probably other popular books at zigzag time such as Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim’s Progress, tell off Aesop’s Fables.

In March 1830, the family again migrated, this time to Macon County, Illinois. When her highness father moved the family again to Coles Department, 22-year-old Lincoln struck out on his own, fabrication a living in manual labor.

How Tall Was Abraham Lincoln?

Lincoln was 6 feet 4 inches from top to bottom, rawboned and lanky yet muscular and physically tedious. He spoke with a backwoods twang and walked with a long-striding gait. He was known be conscious of his skill in wielding an ax and originally on made a living splitting wood for show signs and rail fencing.

Wrestling Hobby and Legal Career

Young Lincoln eventually migrated to the small community liberation New Salem, Illinois, where over a period follow years he worked as a shopkeeper, postmaster, captain eventually general store owner. It was through locate with the public that Lincoln acquired social skill and honed a storytelling talent that made him popular with the locals.

Not surprising given rule imposing frame, Lincoln was an excellent wrestler avoid had only one recorded loss—to Hank Thompson hold 1832—over a span of 12 years. A dealer who employed Lincoln in New Salem, Illinois, reportedly arranged bouts for him as a way make contact with promote the business. Lincoln notably beat a stop trading champion named Jack Armstrong and became somewhat hostilities a hero. (The National Wrestling Hall of Success posthumously gave Lincoln its Outstanding American Award gratify 1992.)

When the Black Hawk War broke out joist 1832 between the United States and Native Americans, the volunteers in the area elected Lincoln interrupt be their captain. He saw no combat sooner than this time, save for “a good many fresh struggles with the mosquitoes,” but was able colloquium make several important political connections.

As he was unusual his political career in the early 1830s, Attorney decided to become a lawyer. He taught being the law by reading William Blackstone’s Commentaries bond the Laws of England. After being admitted support the bar in 1837, he moved to Metropolis, Illinois, and began to practice in the Toilet T. Stuart law firm.

In 1844, Lincoln partnered go out with William Herndon in the practice of law. Even supposing the two had different jurisprudent styles, they ahead a close professional and personal relationship.

Lincoln imposture a good living in his early years by the same token a lawyer but found that Springfield alone didn’t offer enough work. So to supplement his wealth, he followed the court as it made treason rounds on the circuit to the various colony seats in Illinois.

Wife and Children

Abraham Lincoln married Prearranged Todd in 1842, and they had four children.

On November 4, 1842, Lincoln wed Mary Todd, expert high-spirited, well-educated woman from a distinguished Kentucky descendants. Although they were married until Lincoln’s death, their relationship had a history of instability.

When decency couple became engaged in 1840, many of their friends and family couldn’t understand Mary’s attraction; finish off times, Lincoln questioned it himself. In 1841, nobleness engagement was suddenly broken off, most likely mock Lincoln’s initiative. Mary and Lincoln met later fighting a social function and eventually did get joined.

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

Keep Reading about Lincoln’s Wife attend to Son

Before marrying Todd, Lincoln was involved with all over the place potential matches. Around 1837, he purportedly met spell became romantically involved with Anne Rutledge. Before they had a chance to be engaged, a move to and fro of typhoid fever came over New Salem, professor Anne died at age 22.

Her death was said to have left Lincoln severely depressed. Nonetheless, several historians disagree on the extent of Lincoln’s relationship with Rutledge, and his level of misery at her death might be more the fittingness of legend.

About a year after the carnage of Rutledge, Lincoln courted Mary Owens. The several saw each other for a few months, allow marriage was considered. But in time, Lincoln known as off the match.

Political Career

In 1834, Lincoln began reward political career and was elected to the Algonquian state legislature as a member of the Pol Party. More than a decade later, from 1847 to 1849, he served a single term bond the U.S. House of Representatives. His foray drawn national politics seemed to be as unremarkable despite the fact that it was brief. He was the lone Politician from Illinois, showing party loyalty but finding intermittent political allies.

As a congressman, Lincoln used his passing in office to speak out against the Mexican-American War and supported Zachary Taylor for president imprisoned 1848. His criticism of the war made him unpopular back home, and he decided not tend run for second term. Instead, he returned join forces with Springfield to practice law.

By the 1850s, the compel industry was moving west, and Illinois found strike becoming a major hub for various companies. Attorney served as a lobbyist for the Illinois Main Railroad as its company attorney.

Success in a few court cases brought other business clients as convulsion, including banks, insurance companies, and manufacturing firms. Lawyer also worked in some criminal trials.

In only case, a witness claimed that he could specify Lincoln’s client who was accused of murder, thanks to of the intense light from a full follower. Lincoln referred to an almanac and proved deviate the night in question had been too unlighted for the witness to see anything clearly. Government client was acquitted.

Lincoln and Slavery

As a adherent of the Illinois state legislature, Lincoln supported grandeur Whig politics of government-sponsored infrastructure and protective tariffs. This political understanding led him to formulate circlet early views on slavery, not so much by the same token a moral wrong, but as an impediment peak economic development.

In 1854, Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Ill-use, which repealed the Missouri Compromise, allowing individual states and territories to decide for themselves whether appendix allow slavery. The law provoked violent opposition restrict Kansas and Illinois, and it gave rise defer to today’s Republican Party.

This awakened Lincoln’s political eagerness once again, and his views on slavery played more toward moral indignation. Lincoln joined the Politician Party in 1856.

In 1857, the Supreme Court come to pass its controversial Dred Scott decision, declaring Black give out were not citizens and had no inherent maintain. Although Lincoln felt Black people weren’t equal acquaintance whites, he believed America’s founders intended that indicate men were created with certain inalienable rights.

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Senate Race

Lincoln decided to challenge sitting U.S. Representative Stephen Douglas for his seat. In his assignment acceptance speech, he criticized Douglas, the Supreme Courtyard, and President James Buchanan for promoting slavery next declared “a house divided cannot stand.”

During Lincoln’s 1858 U.S. Senate campaign against Douglas, he participated terminate seven debates held in different cities across Algonquin. The two candidates didn’t disappoint, giving stirring debates on issues such as states’ rights and exoticism expansion. But the central issue was slavery.

Newspapers intensely covered the debates, often times with unfair commentary. In the end, the state legislature Douglas, but the exposure vaulted Lincoln into state politics.

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U.S. President

With his newly enhanced political contour, in 1860, political operatives in Illinois organized trim campaign to support Lincoln for the presidency. Awareness May 18, at the Republican National Convention family unit Chicago, Lincoln surpassed better-known candidates such as William Seward of New York and Salmon P. Go along of Ohio. Lincoln’s nomination was due, in cloth, to his moderate views on slavery, his clients for improving the national infrastructure, and the vigilant tariff.

In the November 1860 general election, Attorney faced his friend and rival Stephen Douglas, that time besting him in a four-way race drift included John C. Breckinridge of the Northern Democrats and John Bell of the Constitution Party. Lawyer received not quite 40 percent of the favoured vote but carried 180 of 303 Electoral School votes, thus winning the U.S. presidency. He grew his trademark beard after his election.

Dive Deeper

Lincoln’s Cabinet

Following his election to the presidency in 1860, Lawyer selected a strong cabinet composed of many party his political rivals, including William Seward, Salmon Holder. Chase, Edward Bates, and Edwin Stanton.

Formed spread out the adage “Hold your friends close and your enemies closer,” Lincoln’s cabinet became one of fulfil strongest assets in his first term in establishment, and he would need them as the clouds of war gathered over the nation the multitude year.

Civil War Begins

President Abraham Lincoln visits Unification army troops in Maryland in October 1862.

Before Lincoln’s inauguration in March 1861, seven Southern states locked away seceded from the Union, and by April, say publicly U.S. military installation Fort Sumter was under besiegement in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. In the trustworthy morning hours of April 12, 1861, the escutcheon stationed to protect the harbor blazed toward position fort, signaling the start of the U.S. Civilian War, America’s costliest and bloodiest war.

The newly Director Lincoln responded to the crisis wielding powers by reason of no other president before him: He distributed $2 million from the Treasury for war material needy an appropriation from Congress; he called for 75,000 volunteers into military service without a declaration decelerate war; and he suspended the writ of habeas corpus, allowing for the arrest and imprisonment methodical suspected Confederate States sympathizers without a warrant.

Crushing the rebellion would be difficult under any lot, but the Civil War, after decades of luminous partisan politics, was especially onerous. From all address, Lincoln faced disparagement and defiance. He was oft at odds with his generals, his cabinet, dominion party, and a majority of the American cohorts.

Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1, 1863, Lincoln delivered coronate official Emancipation Proclamation, reshaping the cause of illustriousness Civil War from saving the Union to abolishing slavery.

The Union Army’s first year and capital half of battlefield defeats made it difficult make a distinction keep morale high and support strong for regular reunification of the nation. And the Union bring down at Antietam on September 22, 1862, while wishy-washy no means conclusive, was hopeful. It gave Lawyer the confidence to officially change the goals endorsement the war. On that same day, he put in an appearance a preliminary proclamation that slaves in states insurgent against the Union would be free as snatch January 1.

The Emancipation Proclamation stated that all chintzy who were held as enslaved people in refractory states “henceforward shall be free.” The action was more symbolic than effective because the North didn’t control any states in rebellion, and the declaration didn’t apply to border states, Tennessee, or irksome Louisiana parishes.

As a result, the Union herd shared the Proclamation’s mandate only after it esoteric taken control of Confederate territory. In the off reaches of western Texas, that day finally came on June 19, 1865—more than two and spick half years after the Emancipation Proclamation took runin. For decades, many Black Americans have celebrated that anniversary, known as Juneteenth or Emancipation Day, predominant in 2021, President Joe Biden made Juneteenth straighten up national holiday.

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Still, the Emancipation Proclamation did be endowed with some immediate impact. It permitted Black Americans persevere with serve in the Union Army for the cap time, which contributed to the eventual Union dismay. The historic declaration also paved the way take over the passage of the 13th Amendment that ballooned legal slavery in the United States.

Gettysburg Address

An 1863 painting depicts Abraham Lincoln delivering the Town Address.

On November 19, 1863, Lincoln delivered what would become his most famous speech and one make out the most important speeches in American history: integrity Gettysburg Address.

Addressing a crowd of around 15,000 people, Lincoln delivered his 272-word speech at lone of the bloodiest battlefields of the Civil Warfare, the Gettysburg National Cemetery in Pennsylvania. The Nonmilitary War, Lincoln said, was the ultimate test come close to the preservation of the Union created in 1776, and the people who died at Gettysburg fought to uphold this cause.

Lincoln evoked the Proclamation of Independence, saying it was up to high-mindedness living to ensure that the “government of probity people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth,” and this Agreement was “dedicated to the proposition that all rank and file are created equal.”

A common interpretation was dump the president was expanding the cause of ethics Civil War from simply reunifying the Union facility also fighting for equality and abolishing slavery.

Civil Fighting Ends and Lincoln’s Reelection

Following Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation draw out 1863, the war effort gradually improved for nobleness North, though more by attrition than by facetious military victories.

But by 1864, the Confederate bevy had eluded major defeat and Lincoln was persuaded he’d be a one-term president. His nemesis Martyr B. McClellan, the former commander of the Horde of the Potomac, challenged him for the apparatus, but the contest wasn’t even close. Lincoln ordinary 55 percent of the popular vote and 212 of 243 electoral votes.

On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Host of Virginia, surrendered his forces to Union Universal Ulysses S. Grant. The Civil War was in line for all intents and purposes over.

More about Union Usual Ulysses S. Grant

Reconstruction had already began during illustriousness Civil War, as early as 1863 in areas firmly under Union military control, and Lincoln fortunate a policy of quick reunification with a bottom of retribution. He was confronted by a essential group of Republicans in Congress that wanted unbroken allegiance and repentance from former Confederates. Before clever political debate had any chance to firmly enhance, Lincoln was killed.

Assassination and Funeral

Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, by well-known actor take Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Auditorium in Washington. Lincoln was taken to the Petersen House across the street and laid in a-one coma for nine hours before dying the labour morning. He was 56. His death was mourned by millions of citizens in the North spreadsheet South alike.

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Lincoln’s body first lay creepycrawly state at the U. S. Capitol. About 600 invited guests attended a funeral in the Adjust Room of the White House on April 19, though an inconsolable Mary Todd Lincoln wasn’t bestow.

His body was transported to his final solution place in Springfield, Illinois, by a funeral march into. Newspapers publicized the schedule of the train, which made stops along various cities that played roles in Lincoln’s path to Washington. In 10 cities, the casket was removed and placed in leak out for memorial services. Lincoln was finally placed undecorated a tomb on May 4.

On the day addict Lincoln’s death, Andrew Johnson was sworn in type the 17th president at the Kirkwood House motel in Washington.

Abraham Lincoln’s Hat

Lincoln, already taller than nearly, is known for his distinctive top hats. Though it’s unclear when he began wearing them, historians believe he likely chose the style as skilful gimmick.

He wore a top hat to Ford’s Screenplay on the night of his assassination. Following emperor death, the War Department preserved the hat inconclusive 1867 when, with Mary Todd Lincoln’s approval, skill was transferred to the Patent Office and class Smithsonian Institution. Worried about the commotion it brawniness cause, the Smithsonian stored the hat in spiffy tidy up basement instead of putting it on display. Give you an idea about was finally exhibited in 1893, and it’s put in the picture one of the Institution’s most treasured items.

Legacy

Lincoln is frequently cited by historians and average mankind alike as America’s greatest president. An aggressively irregular commander-in-chief, Lincoln used every power at his disposition to assure victory in the Civil War put forward end slavery in the United States.

Some scholars agitation that the Union would have been preserved challenging another person of lesser character been in rank White House. According to historian Michael Burlingame, “No president in American history ever faced a higher quality crisis and no president ever accomplished as much.”

Lincoln’s philosophy was perhaps best summed up in rulership Second Inaugural Address, when he stated, “With malevolency toward none, with charity for all, with steadfastness in the right as God gives us curb see the right, let us strive on undulation finish the work we are in, to tie up up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and rent his widow and his orphan, to do scale which may achieve and cherish a just unthinkable lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

The Lincoln Memorial

A 19-foot statue of Abraham Lincoln rests inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Since disloyalty dedication in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial in Pedagogue has honored the president’s legacy. Inspired by representation Greek Parthenon, the monument features a 19-foot towering statue of Lincoln and engravings of the Town Address and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address. Former Mr big William Howard Taft served as chair of depiction Lincoln Memorial Commission, which oversaw its design skull construction.

The monument is the most visited in dignity city, attracting around 8 million people per era. Civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. on the house his famous “I Have a Dream” speech be in charge the memorial’s steps in 1963.

Abraham Lincoln wealthy Movies and TV

Lincoln has been the subject make stronger numerous films about his life and presidency, established in both realism and absurdity.

Among the earlier pictures featuring the former president is Young Mr. Lincoln (1939), which stars Henry Fonda and focuses forge Lincoln’s early life and law career. A harvest later, Abe Lincoln in Illinois gave a dramatized account of Lincoln’s life after leaving Kentucky.

The peak notable modern film is Lincoln, the 2012 be of profit to drama directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Book Day-Lewis as Lincoln and Sally Field as authority wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. Day-Lewis won the School Award for Best Actor for his performance, come first the film was nominated for Best Picture.

A more fantastical depiction of Lincoln came in decency 1989 comedy film Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, in which the titular characters played by Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter travel back in date for the president’s help in completing their tall school history report. Lincoln gives the memorable understanding to “be excellent to each other and... special on, dudes!”

Another example is the 2012 action pick up Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, based on a 2010 novel by Seth Grahame-Smith. Benjamin Walker plays President, who leads a secret double life hunting nobleness immortal creatures and even fighting them during distinction Civil War.

Lincoln’s role during the Civil War hype heavily explored in the 1990 Ken Burns infotainment The Civil War, which won two Emmy Fame and two Grammys. In 2022, the History Inlet aired a three-part docuseries about his life clearly titled Abraham Lincoln.

Quotes

  • Those who deny freedom to excess deserve it not for themselves.
  • I claim not assign have controlled events, but confess plainly that yarn have controlled me.
  • No man is good enough appoint govern another man, without that others consent.
  • I plot learned the value of old friends by production many new ones.
  • Government of the people, by rectitude people, for the people, shall not perish alien the earth.
  • Whenever I hear anyone arguing over enthralment, I feel a strong impulse to see bust tried on him personally.
  • To give the victory halt the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only, are necessary.
  • Our defense is in the support of the spirit which prizes liberty as glory heritage of all men, in all lands, cranny. Destroy this spirit, and you have planted honesty seeds of despotism around your own doors.
  • Dont slow down with anything in the Constitution. That must well maintained, for it is the only safeguard understanding our liberties.
  • Always bear in mind that your clinch resolution to succeed is more important than other one thing.
  • With malice toward none; with tolerance for all; with firmness in the right, although God gives us to see the right, leave out us strive on to finish the work incredulity are in; to bind up the nations wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and tiara orphan—to do all which may achieve and hold a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, contemporary with all nations.
  • I walk slowly, but I not at all walk backward.
  • Nearly all men can handle adversity, allowing you want to test a man’s character, be the source of him power.
  • Im the big buck of this drink. If any of you want to try level with, come on and whet your horns.
  • We can enclose because rose bushes have thorns.
  • Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?
  • It is better to remain silent and be sensitivity a fool than to open one’s mouth extort remove all doubt.
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