Biography Of Abraham Lincoln: A Biography By Ronald C. White

A. Lincoln: A Biography, written by Ronald C. White, narrative that breaks up parts of Abraham Lincoln’s life from growing up as a child in Kentucky, to his involvement with the Whig Party, his defeat against Stephen A. Douglas in the 1858 election, his presidency, being a leader in the war, up to his assassination in 1865. He also discusses the medical features of Lincoln and the theory that he had a rare disease. As White states in his book, Lincoln was not like most of today’s politicians, “he was a man of integrity - what today’s commentators would call authenticity.” (3) White got most of his research from newly completed Lincoln Legal Papers as well as letters and old photographs in his biography. He describes Lincoln as a person of intellectual curiosity, comfortable with ambiguity, and unafraid to think and act anew (5). I decided to choose Abraham Lincoln not only because he was one of the most iconic presidents in our U.S. history, but also because I read about how while he was going through depression, he was having suicidal thoughts, and I have heard through articles on the internet and word of mouth about the conspiracies of his death. …show more content…
His father, Thomas Lincoln, was a farmer and carpenter, and there was little information on his mother who died summer of 1818. Thomas then re-married Sarah Johnston, who was very kind and affectionate towards young Abe, which is different than what he was use to. As a child, Lincoln barely went through any schooling, he actually taught himself to read. In fact, he craved books. He started reading at five years old, “there was absolutely nothing to excite ambition for education” (78). Lincoln was also very popular in town due to his great strength (6 ft. 4 in) and storytelling, but people mostly loved his character as a young boy. He held his own in a rough