Abraham Lincoln: Key Facts and Biography

Early Life and Childhood

• Born: February 12, 1809, near Hodgenville, Kentucky.
• Parents: Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks
  • Father was a pioneer and farmer.
  • Mother was deeply religious; died when Lincoln was young.
  • Stepmother Sarah Bush Johnston was a significant influence, encouraging his education.
• Siblings: Sarah and Thomas (died in infancy).
• Moved to Indiana in 1816; faced poverty and hardship.
• Education: Minimal formal education; self-taught through reading.
  • Influenced by books like Aesop's Fables, Robinson Crusoe, and the Bible.

Early Adulthood

• First job experiences: Worked as a rail-splitter, storekeeper, postmaster, and surveyor.
• Military Service: Served as a captain in the Black Hawk War in 1832.
• Legal Career: Began practicing law in 1836 after passing the bar.
  • Noted for his honesty and fairness.
  • Defended the Illinois Central Railroad and other commercial clients.
  • Famous for using an almanac in a murder trial defense.

Political Career

• Initial Entry: Served in the Illinois state legislature from 1834 to 1840.
• National Politics: Entered Congress in 1847 for one term.
• Senate Bid: Ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 1858 but gained national recognition.
• Presidential Campaign: Nominated at the 1860 Republican National Convention; elected as the 16th President.

Presidency (1861-1865)

• Civil War Leadership: Aimed to preserve the Union.
  • Initially willing to compromise on slavery for unity.
  • Emancipation became a key objective as war progressed.
• Major Achievements:
  • Issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
  • Delivered the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing unity and democracy.
• Assassination: Murdered by John Wilkes Booth on April 15, 1865, in Washington, D.C.

Legacy

• Known as "Honest Abe," "The Great Emancipator."
• Revered for his leadership during the Civil War and efforts in abolishing slavery.
• Criticized by some contemporaries in the South.
• Immortalized by the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated in 1922.

Personal Life

• Marriage: Married Mary Todd; had four sons, only one survived into adulthood.

Key Themes and Influences

• Advocacy for Self-Government: Believed in democracy and the government's role in doing what individuals could not do for themselves.
• Commitment to Education and Eloquent Speech: Despite little formal education, Lincoln became a powerful orator known for his speeches and debates.

Additional Resources

• Articles, quizzes, and videos available for further exploration on Lincoln’s life and legacy.