Lecture Notes: John Wilkes Booth and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Early Life of John Wilkes Booth

• Birth: May 10, 1838, to Marianne Holmes and Junius Brutus Booth.
• Family Background:
  • Junius Brutus Booth was a renowned actor, originally from London.
  • Junius left his first wife in England and started a new family in the US with Marianne.
• Childhood Influence:
  • Booth was deeply loved, especially by his mother Marianne.
  • Lost a sibling before his birth, which made him a cherished child.
  • Influenced by his father's successful acting career.

Booth's Acting Career

• Initial Struggles:
  • Unsuccessful theatrical debut in 1855.
  • Worked under a pseudonym to preserve family honor.
• Rise to Fame:
  • Successful acting career by 1857 in Philadelphia, then Richmond.
  • Known for physical prowess, good looks, and a melodious voice.
  • Became a popular figure in the South, identified with Southern values.

Booth's Beliefs and Politics

• Views on Slavery:
  • Firm believer in slavery as beneficial.
  • Opposed to abolition and saw it as a threat to southern society.
• Political Convictions:
  • Southern nationalist, supported the Confederacy.
  • Hated Abraham Lincoln, viewing him as a tyrant and threat.
• Activities During the Civil War:
  • Did not join the Confederate Army due to a promise to his mother.
  • Acted as a Confederate spy due to his ability to travel and gather intelligence.

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

• Background:
  • Lincoln had re-election in 1864, causing alarm in pro-Confederate circles.
  • Booth's plans shifted from kidnapping to assassination.
• The Assassination:
  • April 14, 1865, at Ford's Theatre.
  • Booth shot Lincoln in the head, shouted "Sic semper tyrannis!" and fled.
  • Broke his leg while escaping.
• Aftermath:
  • Booth and accomplice David Herold evaded capture for 12 days.
  • Booth was cornered and killed by federal troops.

Legacy and Impact

• Public Perception:
  • Universally condemned for the assassination.
  • Once celebrated actor became a notorious figure.
• Family Impact:
  • Booth's family was devastated, his brother Edwin never spoke his name again.
• Historical Context:
  • Lincoln's assassination was a tragic end to the Civil War.
  • Booth's motivations were complex, blending personal, political, and ideological factors.
• Reflection:
  • Booth saw his act as an act of war, a misguided belief in the righteousness of his cause.

Additional Tidbit

• Teddy Roosevelt inspired the name for the "Teddy Bear" and renamed the White House.