Biography of Abraham Lincoln

Students: Dulce Mendoza

Jocelyne D. Castellanos

Early Life• Date and Place of birthAbraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky on February 12, 1809.

• Parents (including occupations ) Father: Thomas Lincoln farmer and carpenter.Mother: Nancy Hanks Lincoln – died when Lincoln was nine. His stepmother, Sarah Bush Johnston, was very close to him.

• Siblings ( brothers and sisters) and the other close family members.

Sarah Lincoln and Thomas Lincoln, who died very young. They are Abraham Lincoln’s brother and sister. His stepmother was Sarah Bush Johnston.

• Education Lincoln himself stated that he had about one year of formal education. However he was taught by many different individuals. He loved to read and learn from any books he could get his hands on. • Important people or event(s) that molded this person’s

character.One of the most important people in his life was his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. Sarah, his stepmother, encouraged Abraham to read.• Early CareerYoung Lincoln migrated to the small community of New Salem, Illinois where over a period of years he worked as a shopkeeper, postmaster, and eventually general store owner. That made him popular with the locals.

• Marriage, Children Wife-Mary Todd Lincoln Children:Robert Todd Lincoln William Wallace LincolnThomas Todd Lincoln

• What led to this person running for president Abraham Lincoln ran for President of the United States in 1860 and the men who ran against him were Stephen A. Douglas, John C. Breckenridge and John Bell.

The Presidency

• Terms(s) of officeAbraham Lincoln (1861 – 1865)During Lincoln’s 1860 presidential campaign, brightly colored banners, outrageous political cartoons, sentimental sheet music covers and patriotic portraits were printed to promote the vote. The Library has a rich collection of graphic political memorabilia. • Political party affiliation Lincoln’s political career lasted a total of thirty-one years from the time he entered the Illinois states legislature until his death. He served the United States faithfully. Abraham Lincoln, the politician, was recognized for using amusing stories that were enormously helpful in making important points. He often used his gift as storyteller to put people at ease.

• Vice – President Hannibal Hamlin was the 15th Vice President of the United States (1861 – 1865), serving under President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. He was the first Vice President from the Republican Party.

• Important events/acts that occurred during the Presidency March 4, 1861 Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the sixteenth President of the United States, and the nation’s first Republican President. November 1, 1861Following General Scott’s retirement, President Lincoln names George McClellan, a West Point graduate, as new commander of the Union Army. McClellan proved to be an extremely cautious general. His inability to win decisive battles frustrated Lincoln, and was replaced by Ulysses S Grant. February 20, 1862 William Wallace ( Willie) Lincoln died from typhoid fever. He was the second son the Lincoln’s lost. December 8, 1863Lincoln offered a full pardon to Southerners who took the prescribed oath to the Union.

• People who influenced this President Most people don’t think of Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore as among people who influenced the president, but Michael Gerhardt explains how they inspired Lincoln.

Michael Gerhardt on Lincoln's presidential models - YouTube

After the Presidency• Date and cause of death Assassination of Abraham LincolnUnited States President Abraham Lincoln was shot on Good Friday, April 14, 1865, while attending the play, Our American Cousin, at Ford’s Theatre as the American Civil War was drawing to a close. The Confederate Army and commander, Robert E. Lee, surrendered to Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant and the Union Army.Lincoln was the first American President to be assassinated, though an unsuccessful attempt had been made on Andrew Jackson 30 years before in 1835. The assassination of Lincoln was planned and carried out by wellknown stage actor John Wilkes Booth, as part of a larger conspiracy in a bid to revive the Confederate cause.