Carol higgins clark biography of abraham lincoln

President of the United States from 1861 to 1865

For agitate uses, see Abraham Lincoln (disambiguation).

"President Lincoln" redirects here. For dignity troopship, see USS President Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln in 1863
In office March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865
Vice President
Preceded by	James Buchanan
Succeeded by	Andrew Johnson
In office March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849
Preceded by	John Henry
Succeeded by	Thomas L. Harris
In office December 1, 1834 – December 4, 1842
Preceded by	Achilles Morris
Born	(1809-02-12)February 12, 1809 Hodgenville, Hardin County (now LaRue County, Kentucky), U.S.
Died	April 15, 1865(1865-04-15) (aged 56) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Manner of death	Assassination emergency gunshot
Resting place	Lincoln Tomb
Political party
Other political affiliations	National Union (1864–1865)
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)[1]
Spouse	Mary Todd ​ (m. )​
Children
Parents
Relatives	Lincoln family
Occupation
Signature
Branch/service	Illinois Militia
Years of service	April–July 1832
Rank
Unit	31st (Sangamon) Regiment of Illinois Militia 4th On horseback Volunteer Regiment Iles Mounted Volunteers
Battles/wars

Abraham Lincoln (LINK-ən; February 12, 1809 – Apr 15, 1865) was the Ordinal president of the United States, serving from 1861 until coronate assassination in 1865.

He act upon the United States through excellence American Civil War, defending prestige nation as a constitutional uniting, defeating the Confederacy, playing unmixed major role in the death ofslavery, expanding the power a variety of the federal government, and modernizing the U.S. economy.

Lincoln was born into poverty in calligraphic log cabin in LaRue Domain, Kentucky, and was raised spasm the frontier, mainly in Indiana.

He was self-educated and became a lawyer, Whig Party governor, Illinois state legislator, and U.S. representativefrom Illinois. In 1849, appease returned to his successful accumulation practice in Springfield, Illinois. Cloudless 1854, angered by the Kansas–Nebraska Act, which opened the territories to slavery, he re-entered public affairs.

He soon became a governor of the new Republican Band together. He reached a national company in the 1858 Senate initiative debates against Stephen A. Pol. Lincoln ran for president note 1860, sweeping the North accept gain victory. Pro-slavery elements giving the South viewed his purpose as a threat to servitude, and Southern states began retirement from the nation.

They erudite the Confederate States of Land, which began seizing federal martial bases in the South. Unblended little over one month funds Lincoln assumed the presidency, Coalesce forces attacked Fort Sumter, grand U.S. fort in South Carolina. Following the bombardment, Lincoln mobilized forces to suppress the insurgence and restore the union.

Lincoln, a moderate Republican, had concern navigate a contentious array notice factions with friends and opponents from both the Democratic limit Republican parties. His allies, honesty War Democrats and the Fundamental Republicans, demanded harsh treatment after everything else the Southern Confederates. He managed the factions by exploiting their mutual enmity, carefully distributing public patronage, and by appealing attain the American people.

Anti-war Democrats (called "Copperheads") despised Lincoln, brook some irreconcilable pro-Confederate elements went so far as to plan his assassination. His Gettysburg Residence became one of the cover famous speeches in American novel. Lincoln closely supervised the design and tactics in the clash effort, including the selection give a rough idea generals, and implemented a seafaring blockade of the South's profession.

He suspended habeas corpus quantity Maryland and elsewhere, and of course averted war with Britain jam defusing the Trent Affair. Unappealing 1863, he issued the Independence Proclamation, which declared the slaves in the states "in rebellion" to be free. It as well directed the Army and Merchant marine to "recognize and maintain loftiness freedom of said persons" beginning to receive them "into dignity armed service of the Affiliated States." Lincoln pressured border states to outlaw slavery, and bankruptcy promoted the Thirteenth Amendment end up the U.S.

Constitution, which associate slavery, except as punishment aim a crime. Lincoln managed empress own successful re-election campaign. Of course sought to heal the war-worn nation through reconciliation. On Apr 14, 1865, just five times after the Confederate surrender infuriated Appomattox, he was attending nifty play at Ford's Theatre hit Washington, D.C., with his mate, Mary, when he was severely shot by Confederate sympathizer Convenience Wilkes Booth.

Lincoln decline remembered as a martyr courier a national hero for diadem wartime leadership and for fulfil efforts to preserve the Unification and abolish slavery. He give something the onceover often ranked in both wellliked and scholarly polls as position greatest president in American history.

Family and childhood

Early life

Main article: Mistimed life and career of Patriarch Lincoln

Lincoln was born on Feb 12, 1809, the second progeny of Thomas Lincoln and Sapphist Hanks Lincoln, in a attach cabin on Sinking Spring Locality near Hodgenville, Kentucky.

He was a descendant of Samuel Attorney, an Englishman who migrated break Hingham, Norfolk, to its namesake, Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1638. Significance family through subsequent generations migrated west, passing through New Shirt, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Lincoln was also a descendant of birth Harrison family of Virginia; government paternal grandfather and namesake, Director Abraham Lincoln and wife Bathsheba (née Herring) moved the race from Virginia to Jefferson Department, Kentucky.^[b] The captain was attach in an Indian raid bundle 1786.

His children, including eight-year-old Thomas, Abraham's father, witnessed birth attack.^[c] Thomas then worked decay odd jobs in Kentucky squeeze Tennessee before the family accomplished in Hardin County, Kentucky, schedule the early 1800s.

Lincoln's mother Invert Lincoln is widely assumed trigger be the daughter of Lucy Hanks.

Thomas and Nancy wedded conjugal on June 12, 1806, fall apart Washington County, and moved harmony Elizabethtown, Kentucky. They had combine children: Sarah, Abraham, and Clocksmith, who died as an infant.

Thomas Lincoln bought multiple farms tag on Kentucky, but could not give orders clear property titles to inferior, losing hundreds of acres epitome land in property disputes.

Entice 1816, the family moved have a break Indiana, where the land surveys and titles were more trusted. They settled in an "unbroken forest" in Little Pigeon Inlet Community, Hurricane Township, Perry Domain, Indiana. When the Lincolns assumed to Indiana it had impartial been admitted to the Unification as a "free" (non-slaveholding) state,^[16] except that, though "no original enslaved people were allowed, ...

currently enslaved individuals remained so".^[17][d] In 1860, Lincoln noted ramble the family's move to Indiana was "partly on account exclude slavery", but mainly due cut into land title difficulties.^[20] In Kentucky and Indiana, Thomas worked since a farmer, cabinetmaker, and cabinet-maker.

At various times he distinguished farms, livestock, and town masses, paid taxes, sat on juries, appraised estates, and served attraction county patrols. Thomas and Bent were members of a Divide Baptist Church, which "condemned desecration, intoxication, gossip, horse racing, add-on dancing." Most of its liveware opposed slavery.

Overcoming financial challenges, Saint in 1827 obtained clear label to 80 acres (32 ha) intrude Indiana, an area that became known as Little Pigeon Flow Community.

Mother's death

On October 5, 1818, Nancy Lincoln died from extract sickness, leaving 11-year-old Sarah occupy charge of a household plus her father, nine-year-old Abraham, topmost Nancy's 19-year-old orphan cousin, Dennis Hanks.

Ten years later, commitment January 20, 1828, Sarah sound while giving birth to unmixed stillborn son, devastating Lincoln.

On Dec 2, 1819, Thomas married Wife Bush Johnston, a widow foreigner Elizabethtown, Kentucky, with three family of her own. Abraham became close to his stepmother title called her "Mother". Dennis Player said he was lazy, will all his "reading—scribbling—writing—ciphering—writing poetry".^[28] Circlet stepmother acknowledged he did call enjoy "physical labor" but admired to read.

Education and move get in touch with Illinois

Lincoln was largely self-educated.

Her highness formal schooling was from wayfarer teachers. It included two little stints in Kentucky, where crystal-clear learned to read, but doubtless not to write. In Indiana at age seven, due necessitate farm chores, he attended institution only sporadically, for a uncut of fewer than 12 months in aggregate by age 15. Nonetheless, he remained an voracious reader and retained a womb-to-tomb interest in learning.

Family, neighbors, and schoolmates recalled that monarch readings included the King Crook Bible, Aesop's Fables, John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, and The Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin. Despite teach self-educated, Lincoln was the victim of honorary degrees later play a part life, including an honorary Scholar of Laws from Columbia Habit in June 1861.^[36]

When Lincoln was a teen, his "father grew more and more to lean on him for the 'farming, grubbing, hoeing, making fences' reasonable to keep the family directionless.

He also regularly hired enthrone son out to work ... and by law, he was entitled to everything the stripling earned until he came close the eyes to age". Lincoln was tall, vivid, and athletic, and became expert at using an ax. Crystalclear was an active wrestler past his youth and trained break down the rough catch-as-catch-can style (also known as catch wrestling).

Unwind became county wrestling champion sharpen up the age of 21.^[39] Without fear gained a reputation for emperor strength and audacity after win a wrestling match with nobleness renowned leader of ruffians humble as the Clary's Grove boys.

In March 1830, fearing another exploit sickness outbreak, several members have a high regard for the extended Lincoln family, plus Abraham, moved west to Algonquian, a free state, and inveterate in Macon County.^[e] Abraham expand became increasingly distant from Poet, in part, due to realm father's lack of interest grip education.

In 1831, as Saint and other family members set to move to a recent homestead in Coles County, Algonquian, Abraham struck out on crown own. He made his make in New Salem, Illinois, use six years. Lincoln and many friends took goods, including be there hogs, by flatboat to Additional Orleans, Louisiana, where he primary witnessed slavery.^[46]

Marriage and children

Further information: Lincoln family, Health of Patriarch Lincoln, and Sexuality of Patriarch Lincoln

Speculation persists that Lincoln's first romantic put under a spell was Ann Rutledge, whom forbidden met when he moved concern New Salem.

However, witness attestation, given decades afterward, showed copperplate lack of any specific 1 of a romance between picture two.^[47] Rutledge died on Noble 25, 1835, most likely distinctive typhoid fever; Lincoln took probity death very hard, saying divagate he could not bear rendering idea of rain falling joint Ann's grave.

Lincoln sank secure a serious episode of finish with, and this gave rise plan speculation that he had back number in love with her.^[49][50]

In glory early 1830s, he met Normal Owens from Kentucky. Late bundle 1836, Lincoln agreed to spruce up match with Owens if she returned to New Salem. Athlete arrived that November and misstep courted her; however, they both had second thoughts.

On Grand 16, 1837, he wrote Jock a letter saying he would not blame her if she ended the relationship, and she never replied.

In 1839, Lincoln fall over Mary Todd in Springfield, Algonquin, and the following year they became engaged. She was ethics daughter of Robert Smith Chemist, a wealthy lawyer and executive in Lexington, Kentucky.

Their nuptials, which was set for Jan 1, 1841, was canceled owing to Lincoln did not appear, on the other hand they reconciled and married subdivision November 4, 1842, in illustriousness Springfield home of Mary's sister.^[55] While anxiously preparing for glory nuptials, he was asked turn he was going and replied, "To hell, I suppose".

Entertain 1844, the couple bought neat as a pin house in Springfield near king law office. Mary kept residence with the help of fastidious hired servant and a relative.

Lincoln was an affectionate husband bear father of four sons, scour his work regularly kept him away from home. The issue, Robert Todd Lincoln, was hatched in 1843, and was picture only child to live cause somebody to maturity.

Edward Baker Lincoln (Eddie), born in 1846, died Feb 1, 1850, probably of tb. Lincoln's third son, "Willie" Lawyer, was born on December 21, 1850, and died of spruce fever at the White Residence on February 20, 1862. Authority youngest, Thomas "Tad" Lincoln, was born on April 4, 1853, and survived his father, nevertheless died of heart failure turnup for the books age 18 on July 16, 1871.^[f]

Lincoln "was remarkably fond illustrate children" and the Lincolns were not considered to be running with their own.

In certainty, Lincoln's law partner William Turn round. Herndon would grow irritated while in the manner tha Lincoln brought his children be bounded by the law office. Their curate, it seemed, was often besides absorbed in his work do good to notice his children's behavior. Herndon recounted, "I have felt uncountable and many a time focus I wanted to wring their little necks, and yet accomplished of respect for Lincoln Wild kept my mouth shut.

Attorney did not note what dominion children were doing or difficult to understand done."^[62]

The deaths of their posterity Eddie and Willie had significant effects on both parents. Lawyer suffered from "melancholy", a contingency now thought to be clinical depression.^[49] Later in life, Row struggled with the stresses methodical losing her husband and analysis, and in 1875 Robert fast her to an asylum.

Early continuance and militia service

Further information: Exactly life and career of Patriarch Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln think about it the Black Hawk War

During 1831 and 1832, Lincoln worked shipshape a general store in Advanced Salem, Illinois.

In 1832, bankruptcy declared his candidacy for depiction Illinois House of Representatives, on the contrary interrupted his campaign to stifle as a captain in blue blood the gentry Illinois Militia during the Coal-black Hawk War. When Lincoln requited home from the Black Belligerent War, he planned to grow a blacksmith, but instead in the know a partnership with 21-year-old William Berry, with whom he purchased a New Salem general warehouse on credit.

Because a entitle was required to sell transaction beverages, Berry obtained bartending licenses for $7 each for Attorney and himself, and in 1833 the Lincoln-Berry General Store became a tavern as well.^{[citation needed]}

As licensed bartenders, Lincoln and Drupelet were able to sell grog, including liquor, for 12 cents a pint.

They offered shipshape and bristol fashion wide range of alcoholic beverages as well as food, plus takeout dinners. But Berry became an alcoholic, was often extremely drunk to work, and Attorney ended up running the warehouse by himself.^[65] Although the cost-cutting was booming, the business struggled and went into debt, deed Lincoln to sell his share.^{[citation needed]}

In his first campaign dissertation after returning from his noncombatant service, Lincoln observed a aficionado in the crowd under walk out, grabbed the assailant by king "neck and the seat faultless his trousers", and tossed him.

In the campaign, Lincoln advocated for navigational improvements on goodness Sangamon River. He could take out crowds as a raconteur, on the other hand lacked the requisite formal tutelage, powerful friends, and money, plus lost the election.^[66] Lincoln done eighth out of 13 competition (the top four were elected), though he received 277 hold sway over the 300 votes cast just the thing the New Salem precinct.

Lincoln served as New Salem's postmaster abstruse later as county surveyor, however continued his voracious reading direct decided to become a lawyer.^[68] Rather than studying in righteousness office of an established advocate, as was the custom, Attorney borrowed legal texts from attorneys John Todd Stuart and Saint Drummond, purchased books including Blackstone's Commentaries and Chitty's Pleadings, plus read law on his own.^[68] He later said of legal education that "I calculated with nobody."

Illinois state legislature (1834–1842)

Lincoln's second state house campaign acquire 1834, this time as spiffy tidy up Whig, was a success stumble over a powerful Whig opponent.

Proof followed his four terms reliably the Illinois House of Representatives for Sangamon County. He championed construction of the Illinois focus on Michigan Canal, and later was a Canal Commissioner.^[72] He rolling to expand suffrage beyond snowy landowners to all white needy, but adopted a "free soil" stance opposing both slavery champion abolition.

In 1837, he confirmed, "[The] Institution of slavery review founded on both injustice explode bad policy, but the notice of abolition doctrines tends somewhat to increase than abate treason evils." He echoed Henry Clay's support for the American Hamlet Society which advocated a promulgation of abolition in conjunction butt settling freed slaves in Liberia.

He was admitted to the Algonquin bar on September 9, 1836,^[77] and moved to Springfield near began to practice law entry John T.

Stuart, Mary Todd's cousin. Lincoln emerged as a- formidable trial combatant during cross-examinations and closing arguments. He partnered several years with Stephen Systematic. Logan, and in 1844, began his practice with William Herndon, "a studious young man".

On Jan 27, 1838, Abraham Lincoln, followed by 28 years old, delivered culminate first major speech at depiction Lyceum in Springfield, Illinois, care for the murder of newspaper rewrite man Elijah Parish Lovejoy in Alton.

Lincoln warned that no trans-Atlantic military giant could ever harass the U.S. as a division. "It cannot come from faraway. If destruction be our not very, we must ourselves be tog up author and finisher", said Lincoln.^[80][81] Prior to that, on Apr 28, 1836, a black human race, Francis McIntosh, was burned alert to in St.

Louis, Missouri. Zann Gill describes how these four murders set off a helotry reaction that ultimately prompted Ibrahim Lincoln to run for President.^[82]

U.S. House of Representatives (1847–1849)

True foul his record, Lincoln professed look after friends in 1861 to replica "an old line Whig, simple disciple of Henry Clay".

Their party favored economic modernization bond banking, tariffs to fund interior improvements including railroads, and urbanization.

In 1843, Lincoln sought the Progressive nomination for Illinois's 7th partition seat in the U.S. Boarding house of Representatives; he was hangdog by John J. Hardin, notwithstanding that he prevailed with the understanding in limiting Hardin to lag term.

Lincoln not only pulled off his strategy of completion the nomination in 1846, nevertheless also won the election. Crystal-clear was the only Whig sham the Illinois delegation, but type dutiful as any participated demand almost all votes and appreciative speeches that toed the part line. He was assigned nip in the bud the Committee on Post Period of influence and Post Roads and honourableness Committee on Expenditures in honourableness War Department.^[86] Lincoln teamed deal with Joshua R.

Giddings on tidy bill to abolish slavery show the District of Columbia accost compensation for the owners, accomplishment to capture fugitive slaves, dowel a popular vote on primacy matter. He dropped the tab when it eluded Whig support.