Abraham Lincoln on the Web

Organizations

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Experience Lincoln's life and legacy through the site's interactive timeline, virtual exhibits and video clips.

Lincoln.org

The organization studies the president's impact on the American political system. Features include interactive maps, which illustrate the spread of slavery, draft riots, Lincoln's visits to Philadelphia and his home in Illinois.

The Abraham Lincoln Association

The Abraham Lincoln Association was incorporated more than a century ago by a prominent group that included the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a former Vice President, U.S. Senators and Representatives, Governors, and newspaper executives. The Association sponsors distinguished programs of research and publication.

Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia

The Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia is an active institution dedicated to a better understanding our 16th President. Programs and events are designed to promote study of the life and leadership of Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln250

Lincoln looked back to the Declaration of Independence as the embodying spirit of America. He often referred to its principles as the basis for the present and future development of the nation.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

The Institute supports of American history education and sponsors the Lincoln Prize.

The Lincoln Forum

The Forum’s roster of activities includes symposia, tours, student essay competitions, teacher scholarships, a newsletter, and annual awards to recognize special contributions to the field of Lincoln studies.

The Abraham Lincoln Institute

A nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting scholarship on the life, times and legacy of Abraham Lincoln through a free annual symposium, book and dissertation prizes, and a lifetime achievement award.

Research

Library of Congress

National Parks Service, Civil War

Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

The Papers of Abraham Lincoln is a documentary editing project dedicated to identifying, imaging, transcribing, annotating, and publishing online all documents written by or to Abraham Lincoln during his lifetime.

The History Place Presents Abraham Lincoln

Timeline of Lincoln's life from his birth in 1809 to his assassination in 1865. The site features links to photographs, manuscripts and speeches.

The Lincoln Log

A Daily Chronology of the Life of Abraham Lincoln

American President: Abraham Lincoln
The Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia offers web resources on Lincoln and his presidency. Political focus includes biographical information on the First Lady, members of the Cabinet and Lincoln's staff.

Mr. Lincoln and Friends
A site dedicated to influential people in Lincoln's life including family, preachers, lawyers and journalists. Resources identify Lincoln's political opponents and friends from members of Congress to union officers.

American Battlefield Trust: Civil War

The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters.

Civil War Timeline

The Great Events of the American Civil War, Day-by-Day

Timeline of the Civil War

This timeline was compiled b y Joanne Freeman in 1997

The Civil War
Well-organized history of Civil War. Site describes battles, confederate and union generals, slavery. Includes original newspapers, photographs and illustrations from the Civil War era.

Other

National Park Service: Lincoln Home
This historic landmark boasts Lincoln's house in Illinois restored to its original appearance. Take the virtual tour of Lincoln's homes.

Abraham Lincoln Art Gallery
The gallery displays comprehensive collections of Lincoln artwork. Artifacts include sculptures, photographs and analytical essays.

The Abraham Lincoln Book Shop
The Chicago bookshop offers books, Lincoln paraphernalia, autographs, and original documents.

Comments

Mail-In Ballots Anyone?

During the American Civil War, soldiers were allowed to vote by mail. This was the first instance of mail-in ballots in the nation's history. At the time, of course, only men had the right to vote. In the 1862 mid-year elections, many soldiers were given leave to return home to vote. It was detrimental to the war effort, so in 1864 the Union tried a new concept: mail-in ballots. Lincoln felt this was important to his reelection because a higher proportion of Republicans enlisted. On September 27, 1864, Ulysses S. Grant wrote to the Secretary of War Edwin Stanton: The exercise of the right of suffrage by the officers and soldiers of armies is a novel thing. A very large proportion of legal voters of the United States are now either under arms in the field, or in hospitals, or otherwise engaged in the military service of the United States … they are American citizens, having still their homes and social and political ties binding them to the States and districts from which they come...

Book Review: Mr. Lincoln’s High-Tech War by Thomas B. Allen & Rodger MacBride

Mr. Lincoln’s High-Tech War: How the North Used theTelegraph, Railroads, Surveillance Balloons, Ironclads, High-Powered Weapons,and More to Win the Civil War Thomas B. Allen & Rodger MacBride Long title and a bit of a misnomer because this book also deals with the use of technology by the Confederate States of America. Granted, the Confederacy was limited by its scarce industrial capability, but it focused what it had on its navy, including the first ironclad in combat and the first submarine. Both were effective when let out of the barn, but neither lasted much beyond their first engagement. That’s the way it goes with military innovation; failures often precede a workable design. Most people view the American Civil War as a series of bloody battles fought with muskets and cannons. It all looks so backward from a modern perspective. In truth, the American Civil War changed warfare dramatically through technological advances. Before the Civil War, Napoleon de...

A blog by James D. Best

A braham Lincoln is one of the most enigmatic presidents in American history. His law partner, William Herndon, described Lincoln as "the most shut-mouthed man who ever lived." Despite his constant pursuit of an audience, Lincoln rarely revealed his true thoughts. He often waffled, deflected questions, or told stories to avoid disclosing his plans. This tendency is one reason historians and critics can depict him as having seemingly contradictory opinions on various issues, conflicting motives, and a range of personal characteristics encompassing every imaginable human behavior. This blog will not attempt to resolve these contradictions. Instead, it will present them all to readers so they can draw their own conclusions. So, sit back, enjoy, and feel free to participate in the discussion. Additionally, this blog promotes Maelstrom , A Civil War Novel . Maelstrom tells the story of the greatest rivalry in American history. American Exceptionalism Series

Book Review: Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln Doris Kearns Goodwin Goodwin’s smooth style is reader-friendly. Team of Rivals , published in 2005, has become a standard in the crowded Lincoln genre, winning the Lincoln Prize and the Book Prize for American History. Team of Rivals was also a finalist for several other prizes. More than 18,000 books have been written about Abraham Lincoln, making him one of the most documented figures in history. To market a new perspective, many Lincoln scholars seek to offer a unique take on one of the most studied men in history. Goodwin, when not the narrator herself, allows Lincoln’s cabinet to tell his story. Every president since George Washington has governed with a cabinet, and the cabinet is often given short shrift by historians. Rightly so, in many cases. But Lincoln was different. He filled his cabinet and lesser positions with his Republican competitors, northern Democratic Party leaders, and other powerful rivals within...

Constitutional Chat: Abraham Lincoln at Cooper Union

Constituting America Watch a "Constitutional Chat" video about Lincoln's Cooper Union Address. I was honored to be a guest for this "chat." What was so great about his speech at the Cooper Union? It was earth-moving because it was highly unusual. It was a call for his party to stand on principle—God’s principles, the Founders’ principles, and the founding principle of the Republican Party—the abolition of slavery. Read the essay at Constituting America.

Abraham Lincoln: The Enigmatic President

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