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Abraham Lincoln Resource Guide

Online Resources

Abraham Lincoln Megasites
Lincoln's Life Before the Presidency
Lincoln's Campaign for the Presidency, 1860
The Lincoln Presidency
The Civil War
Famous Lincoln Documents and Speeches
The Lincoln Assassination
Lincoln's Family

Library Booklists

Abraham Lincoln Megasites

Abraham Lincoln: http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/abrahamlincoln/

A short biography from the White House website
Abraham Lincoln's Life: The Great American Story: http://www.alplm.org/timeline/timeline.html

This site arranges Lincoln's life story into a timeline.
Abraham Lincoln Research Site: http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln2.html

This extensive site, created by a former American history teacher, includes biographical information not easily found elsewhere.
Abraham Lincoln for Primary Children: http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/lincoln/index.html

Created by a first grade class, this site includes a quiz, animations, and a picture gallery.
Abraham Lincoln in Depth: http://www.abrahamlincolnsclassroom.org/Library/index.asp?ID=5

This site includes essays on many subjects, including Lincoln's moods, his faith, and his funeral train.
The Lincoln Log: A Daily Chronology of the Life of Abraham Lincoln: http://www.thelincolnlog.org/view

See what happened on today's date in Lincoln's life, search for other dates, or browse by year.
Abraham Lincoln Online: http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln.html

This extensive site has booklists, quotations of Lincoln's words, links to important places in his life, and the text of many of his speeches.
Abraham Lincoln's Crossroads: http://constitutioncenter.org/lincoln/index.html

This online game for middle and high school students "invites them to learn about Lincoln’s leadership by exploring the political choices he made."
American Experience: The Time of the Lincolns: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/lincolns/

PBS Online has created an indepth website that explores life during the middle to late 19th century and during the Civil War.

Lincoln's Life Before the Presidency

Abraham Lincoln's Youth: http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/lincoln/aa_lincoln_youth_1.html

A brief overview of Lincoln's childhood and young adult years
Learning by Littles: http://www.nps.gov/archive/libo/learning_by_littles3.htm

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln had less than one year of formal education? Learn about his experiences in school at this site.
Life Before the Presidency: http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/lincoln/essays/biography/2

This essay focuses on Lincoln's adult life before he became president.
Lincoln Home: Virtual Museum Exhibit: http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/exhibits/liho/

Take a virtual tour of Lincoln's home in Springfield, Illinois, or read more about his life there.
Lincoln: The Formative Years, 1809-1830: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/formyears.htm

Covers Lincoln's life from his birth until he left home
Lincoln’s New Salem, 1830-1837: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/newsalem.htm

During the years he lived in New Salem, Illinois, Lincoln ran (and lost) for a seat in the state legislature and got his license to practice law.
The Lincolns in Springfield, 1837-1847: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/springfield1.htm

During this time period, Lincoln practiced law in Springfield and met and married his wife.
Congressman Lincoln, 1847-1849: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/congressman.htm

Covers Lincoln's years as a Congressman from Illinois
The Lincolns in Springfield, 1849-1861: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/springfield2.htm

In these tumultous years, Lincoln ran for (and lost) a seat in the U.S. Senate, debated Stephen Douglas, and secured the Republican presidential nomination.
Lincoln/Net: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/

"This site presents materials from Lincoln's Illinois years (1830-1861), supplemented by resources from Illinois' early years of statehood (1818-1829)."
Timeline: Early Life of Abraham Lincoln: http://history1800s.about.com/od/abrahamlincoln/tp/lincolntimeline01.htm

"This timeline illustrates some of the major events of Lincoln's life up to the 1850s, when his legendary debates with Stephen Douglas began to show his potential as a presidential candidate."
Lincoln as Poet: http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/prespoetry/al.html

Read some of Lincoln's poetry, written from the time of his boyhood through the Civil War.
Lincoln's Homes: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/lhomes.htm

A list of the homes Lincoln lived in, from log cabins to the White House

Lincoln's Campaign for the Presidency, 1860

Grace Bedell (the girl who wrote to Lincoln suggesting that he grow a beard)

American President: Abraham Lincoln: Campaigns and Elections: http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/lincoln/essays/biography/3

An essay from the University of Virginia's online reference resource describes Lincoln's two campaigns for the presidency and places them in their historical context.
The Election of 1860: http://www.tulane.edu/~latner/Background/BackgroundElection.html

A college professor's website about teaching the coming of the Civil War includes this background essay on the 1860 election.
HarpWeek – Elections Homepage: http://elections.harpweek.com/

This website, from the magazine Harper's Weekly, includes cartoons and other information about Lincoln's campaign for the presidency. Click on the link 1860 for an overview of the campaign, plus information on the events that led up to the election of Abraham Lincoln.
Voting in the 1860 Election: The Popular Vote: http://www.historycentral.com/elections/1860Pop.html

Visit this site to see how the white men of the United States voted.
Voting in the 1860 Election: The Electoral College: http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/elections/maps/1860.gif

Visit this site to see how the Electoral College voted.

Grace Bedell

Grace Bedell's letter to Presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln: http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/LincolnCollection/lincoln_collection/bh005001.html

A digital reproduction of Grace Bedell's letter to Lincoln.
Picture History: Grace Bedell: http://www.picturehistory.com/product/id/2800

A digital reproduction of Lincoln's response to Grace.
Abraham Lincoln in Buffalo – The Legend of the Whiskers: http://www.buffalohistoryworks.com/lincoln/whiskers.htm

At this website, read the text of each letter, plus a description of the moment that President-elect Lincoln met Grace in person.
Abraham Lincoln Meets Grace Bedell: http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/sites/bedell.htm

The text of two contemporary newspaper articles describing the meeting between Abraham Lincoln and Grace Bedell.
Statues of Lincoln and Grace: http://www.villageofwestfield.org/

Scroll down this page on the right to see the statues commemorating the moment that Lincoln met Grace in Westfield, NY on February 16, 1861.

The Lincoln Presidency

Abraham Lincoln Takes the Heat: http://www.historynet.com/abraham-lincoln-takes-the-heat.htm

An article from Civil War Times magazine describes how Lincoln was often lampooned, satirized and ridiculed during his presidency.
Abraham Lincoln's White House 1861-1865 during U.S. Civil War: http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/

President Lincoln declared the White House to be “better than any house [he] had ever lived in.” Visit Mr. Lincoln's residence during his presidency and find out what he did while he lived there.
American President: Key Events in the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln: http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/keyevents/lincoln

The University of Virginia provides an in-depth timeline of events during Lincoln's presidency.
The Baltimore Plot to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln [1861]: http://www.pddoc.com/skedaddle/articles/1861_assassination_plot.htm

A reproduction of an article from Harper's New Monthly Magazine, June 1868, describes the plot to assassinate President-elect Lincoln in 1861.
History: Abraham Lincoln: Presidential Accomplishments: http://www.nps.gov/history/logcabin/html/al3.html

A brief essay from the National Park Service describes the highlights of Lincoln's presidency.
Learn the Story: Ford's Theatre: http://www.fordstheatre.org/?q=home/explore-lincoln/learn-story

The Ford's Theatre, site of Lincoln's assassination, remains a working theatre in Washington, DC. Explore “Lincoln's Era” for information about his presidency.
Document Library: Abraham Lincoln: http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?subcategory=121

This site from Ashland University provides links to texts of letters, speeches, proclamations and other documents by Abraham Lincoln, both before and during his presidency.

The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/

This multi-volume set of Lincoln's letters, speeches, and other writings is now available online. You can browse the volumes or do keyword searches.
Lincoln Speeches: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/speeches.htm

"Abraham Lincoln gave hundreds of speeches in his lifetime. Below are some of his important speeches."
Selected Speeches and Writings by Abraham Lincoln: http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/speeches.htm

In addition to speeches and writings, this site also includes quotations and letters by Lincoln.
Words and Speeches: http://www.lincoln200.gov/lincolns-life/words-and-speeches/default.aspx

"Many consider Abraham Lincoln the most eloquent President our country has ever known. Public speakers for decades have tried to copy his style. Click on the words below to read Abraham Lincoln's words."
Abraham Lincoln Historical Digitization Project: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/

This website from Northern Illinois University presents primary documents connected to Lincoln's life, particularly while in Illinois. The website also allows the user to explore Lincoln's life through historical themes, like American American Experience and Women's Experience and Gender Roles.

The Emancipation Proclamation

About the Emancipation Proclamation: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/documents/proclamation/about.html

A brief explanation of this document and why it is important
Emancipation Proclamation (1863): http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=34

At this site from the National Archives, you can view the original document online or read a transcript of it.

The Gettysburg Address

About the Gettysburg Address: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/documents/gettysburg/about.html

A brief explanation of this document and why it is important
Abraham Lincoln: Gettysburg Address: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/gettysburgaddress.htm

Listen to celebrities (such as Colin Powell and Johnny Cash) deliver the Gettysburg Address.
Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/lincoln-address.htm

Background information on the address, along with text of the five different versions in existence
Gettysburg Address (1863): http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=36

At this site from the National Archives, you can view a copy of the document online or read a transcript of it.

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Lincoln/Douglas Debates: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/debates.html

This site has a map showing the locations of Lincoln and Douglas's seven 1858 debates. Click on any of the locations to get a transcript of the debate.
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates: http://www.lincoln-douglas.org/

Choose a topic from the drop-down box at the top of the page to get background information on Lincoln, Douglas, and their debates.

The Lincoln Assassination

The Death of John Wilkes Booth, 1865: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/booth.htm

Lieutenant Edward Doherty led the squad of soldiers searching for John Wilkes Booth, and describes the assassin's final moments.
The Death of President Lincoln, 1865: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/lincoln.htm

Lincoln's Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles, describes the scene at the Peterson Boarding House where the President lay dying.
Learn the Story: Ford's Theatre: http://www.fordstheatre.org/?q=home/explore-lincoln/learn-story

The Ford's Theatre, site of Lincoln's assassination, remains a working theatre in Washington, DC. Explore “Assassination” and “Aftermath” for descriptions of that fateful performance and the resulting tragedy.
Lincoln Papers: Lincoln Assassination: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/alhtml/alrintr.html

The Library of Congress provides a brief description, timeline and images of the assassination.
The Trial of the Lincoln Assassination Conspirators: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/lincolnconspiracy/lincolnconspiracy.html

From the Famous Trials website, a professor of law at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, presents a thorough exploration of John Wilkes Booth and his conspirators.

Lincoln's Family

Thomas Lincoln (father)
Nancy Hanks Lincoln (mother)
Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln (stepmother)
Mary Todd Lincoln (wife)
Robert Todd Lincoln (son)
Eddie Lincoln (son)
Willie Lincoln (son)
Thomas "Tad" Lincoln (son)

Abraham Lincoln and His Family: http://www.nps.gov/archive/libo/page_family_of_abraham.htm

At this site from the National Park Service, you can read biographies of Lincoln's parents, sister, children, and some other relatives.
Abraham Lincoln Family Time Line: http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/timeline.htm

"Looking for a quick reference? This brief outline provides the most important events concerning Lincoln's immediate family."
Family: http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/inside.asp?ID=7&subjectID=2

This site discusses Lincoln's relationship with his children.
Family Pets and Animals: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/pets.htm

Read about the pets the Lincoln family kept over the years.
The Sons: http://www.mrlincolnandfriends.org/inside.asp?pageID=9&subjectID=9

A lengthy article about Lincoln's relationship with his sons.

Thomas Lincoln (father)

Thomas Lincoln: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/father.htm

Read about the life of Lincoln's father, Thomas, with whom Lincoln had a strained relationship.

Nancy Hanks Lincoln (mother)

Nancy Hanks Lincoln: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/nancy.htm

Read about Lincoln's mother, who died when he was only nine years old.

Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln (stepmother)

Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/sarabush.htm

Read about Lincoln's stepmother, who married Lincoln's father in 1819.
Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln Memorial: http://www.touretown.com/sarahbush.shtml

A biography of "the most famous stepmother in American history."

Mary Todd Lincoln (wife)

Mary Lincoln: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/marylincoln.htm

A short biography from the National Park Service.
Mary Todd Lincoln: http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies/marylincoln

This short biography comes from the White House website.
Mary Anne Todd Lincoln: http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=17

This site has detailed information about Mrs. Lincoln's family, ancestry, life as First Lady, and more.
Mary Todd Lincoln: http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/inside.asp?ID=15&subjectID=2

Read many stories about Mary's life in the White House at this site.
Mary Todd Lincoln Research Site: http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln15.html

Find a wealth of information about Mrs. Lincoln at this site: her marriage, the seances she conducted in the White House, her insanity trial and much more.
Mary Todd Lincoln House: http://www.mtlhouse.org/index.html

View photos of the house where Mary grew up, see artifacts that are kept there, or read more about Mary's life.

Robert Todd Lincoln (son)

Robert Lincoln: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/robertlincoln.htm

Read a biography of Lincoln's oldest son.
Robert Lincoln: http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln66.html

A lengthy biography of Robert Lincoln.

Eddie Lincoln (son)

Edward Baker "Eddie" Lincoln: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/edwardlincoln.htm

Read about Lincoln's second son, who died at age three.
Eddie Lincoln: http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln67.html

This biography of Eddie Lincoln includes a picture and an image of his tombstone.

Willie Lincoln (son)

William Wallace "Willie" Lincoln: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/willie.htm

Read a biography of Lincoln's third son, who died while living in the White House.
Willie Lincoln: http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln68.html

This site has several photographs of Willie Lincoln.

Thomas "Tad" Lincoln (son)

Thomas "Tad" Lincoln: http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/tad.htm

Read a short biography of Lincoln's youngest son.
Tad Lincoln: http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln69.html

This site has photographs and a longer biography of Tad Lincoln.