Abraham Lincoln

The life of Abraham Lincoln epitomizes the classic American story of rising from humble origins through hard work, persevering despite formidable obstacles, and achieving success as well as lasting fame.  The future 16th president of the United States was born in a log cabin to an impoverished and itinerant family on the Kentucky frontier.  Growing up, Lincoln engaged in typical tasks of a young man in a pioneering community, working on the farm, splitting logs, and building the homestead.  While he had practically no formal schooling, Lincoln’s love for reading, particularly the Bible, became the foundation of his self-education.  Lincoln’s political career began in 1834 when, after a failed campaign two years earlier, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives and served until 1841.  After two years as a representative in the U.S. Congress from 1847-1849, Lincoln ran for the senate in 1858, an election that catapulted him into the national spotlight, thanks to a series of debates (the Lincoln-Douglas debates) showcasing his talent for public speaking.  Lincoln lost the senate election but won the White House in 1860.  His first year in office, the Civil War began and lasted throughout his presidency; five days after the surrender of the Confederacy, Lincoln was assassinated.  His leadership during the Civil War, including the watershed signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and the war’s successful end, prevented the dissolving of the nation.  As such, Lincoln is consistently ranked by scholars as the greatest president in U.S. history.