Welcome to the newly redesigned LincolnStudies.com! Though we're still in the process of uploading the individual archive, document, and book review pages, each of our redesigned main pages should already be in place.
I encourage you to give the site a quick scan. You'll find a handful of new features. For instance, the Lincoln on Ebay page now features a whopping 200 live auctions!
Similarly, the Bookstore page has a new look. Now the page features a rotating selection of new Lincoln books available for purchase from Amazon.com. Whether you wish to purchase books or simply keep up to date on new publications, I think you'll find the page useful. While you're there, click the link just below today's date; it will take you to our expanded Bookstore, which features 16 different categories of books, music, and dvds for the history enthusiast. We even have a category for children's books!
As always, I encourage you to send me an email if you experience any problems as you navigate through the redesigned site. You should be able to find my email by clicking on my name, which will soon be at the bottom of every page on the site.
Now, onto our regularly scheduled program...
As you can see by today's image, I want to talk about Hollywood's Lincoln. Today's image is a publicity poster for Robert E. Sherwood's 1940 film, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, starring Raymond Massey. The film was based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play of the same title, which in recent years has enjoyed a run on Broadway with Sam Waterson playing the lead role.
Both the
film and the play follow Lincoln from his early days as a lawyer up to the election of 1860; however, they both end before Lincoln takes office.
As many of you know, Hollywood now has its eye set on Lincoln's presidency.
As I've reported, Liam Neeson is slated to play Lincoln, while Sally Field will portray Mary. There is also word that Harrison Ford will play Andrew Johnson.
More than a year ago, Spielberg hinted that filming would begin just after he finished shooting the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones saga. However, it appears the plan has changed.
The Los Angeles Times is now reporting
that instead of the Lincoln biopic, Spielberg's next project will beTintin, which will go into production in September. He has told a German magazine that he is going to wait until early 2009 to film Lincoln.
Barring any other delays, I suppose we might look forward to a 2009 or early 2010 release date.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Today marks the end of another semester, which means I have a stack of blue books in front of me waiting to be graded. I've only looked at a handfull of them, but so far the essays seem to be quite good. Let's hope the rest of the stack follows suit.
However, my weekend will not be devoted entirely to grading. Check back throughout the weekend to see what we've got in store for LincolnStudies.com.
Everything is going to look a lot different here very soon!
I've been tracking this story for a few months now, from its original incarnation in October to the modified version the Congress passed last week.
The Journal Gazette-Times Courier in Charleston, Illinois is reporting that the funding for this project will go
directly into the "Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition," which will then distribute the money to groups throughout central Illinois.
Again, as I get more information, I will pass it along.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
My apologies for the late post today. Apparently a resident of nearby Murphysboro cut a line, which promptly knocked out internet access to the greater portion of southern Illinois. It was frustrating not being online, but I certainly got a lot of work done in the meantime. I suppose there is a lesson there, but I’ll pass over it quickly.
I want to focus instead on a revealing letter Abraham Lincoln wrote in 1837. At twenty-eight, Lincoln had already accomplished a great deal, but he was still uneasy. He was a young lawyer, as well as a member of the Illinois state legislature, but he had yet to enjoy any sense of financial stability. He had recently moved from New Salem to Springfield, but the transition was not easy; he feared that life in this “busy wilderness” was not for him. And he was involved with a girl, but he wasn’t sure where the relationship was headed.
With his mind clouded by questions, he decided to compose a letter.
[AL to Mary S. Owens, 7 May 1837, Collected Works, 1:78-79.]
Friend Mary Springfield, May 7. 1837
I have commenced two letters to send you before this, both of which displeased me before I got half done, and so I tore them up. The first I thought wasn't serious enough, and the second was on the other extreme. I shall send this, turn out as it may.
This thing of living in Springfield is rather a dull business after all, at least it is so to me. I am quite as lonesome here as [I] ever was anywhere in my life. I have been spoken to by but one woman since I've been here, and should not have been by her, if she could have avoided it. I've never been to church yet, nor probably shall not be soon. I stay away because I am conscious I should not know how to behave myself.
I am often thinking about what we said of your coming to live at Springfield. I am afraid you would not be satisfied. There is a great deal of flourishing about in carriages here, which it would be your doom to see without shareing in it. You would have to be poor without the means of hiding your poverty. Do you believe you could bear that patiently? Whatever woman may cast her lot with mine, should any ever do so, it is my intention to do all in my power to make her happy and contented; and there is nothing I can immagine, that would make me more unhappy than to fail in the effort. I know I should be much happier with you than the way I am, provided I saw no signs of discontent in you. What you have said to me may have been in jest, or I may have misunderstood it. If so, then let it be forgotten; if otherwise, I much wish you would think seriously before you decide. For my part I have already decided. What I have said I will most positively abide by, provided you wish it. My opinion is that you had better not do it. You have not been accustomed to hardship, and it may be more severe than you now immagine. I know you are capable of thinking correctly on any subject; and if you deliberate maturely upon this, before you decide, then I am willing to abide your decision.
You must write me a good long letter after you get this. You have nothing else to do, and though it might not seem interesting to you, after you had written it, it would be a good deal of company to me in this ``busy wilderness.'' Tell your sister I dont want to hear any more about selling out and moving. That gives me the hypo whenever I think of it
Yours, &c.
LINCOLN.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
What do you think about when you hear the name Abraham Lincoln?
I've asked that question dozens of times and I'm always intrigued by the answers I recieve.
Some have said they immediately think of images associated with the Civil War. Heroic soldiers in new uniforms, as well as horrific images of death and dying on the battlefield come to mind. Some even mention images associated with the institution of slavery.
Not everyone associates Lincoln with words or actions, some are simply reminded of his "costume." When they think of Lincoln, they think of his stovepipe hat, his funny beard, or his ill-fitting black suit.
As you might imagine, many of Lincoln's contemporaries had a much different memory of Lincoln. Those who knew him well did not immediately associate Lincoln with the Civil War, political rhetoric, or his way of dress. No, when they thought of Lincoln, they immediately thought of his profession.
Unlike many of today's career politicians, Lincoln's profession was not politics. Politics was certainly his passion, but it did not pay the bills.
For nearly a quarter of a century, Lincoln was a practicing attorney; in fact, he built one of the most successful law pratices in central Illinois.
He was involved in more than 5,000 legal cases, an astonishing number. He practiced law on the local, state, and federal level; he even practiced before the United States Supreme Court.
However, the bread-and-butter of Lincoln's law practice came on the Eighth Judicial law circuit. Each year, he spent four to six months "riding the circuit," that muddy trail stretching from country courthouse to courthouse throughout central Illinois. Few of his contemporaries enjoyed their rough existence on the circuit, but Lincoln seemed to thrive.
If you want to know more about Lincoln's time on the law circuit, you are in luck. According to this story in the Bloomington Pantagraph, a group has put together a two-day tour called "Riding the 8th Circuit with Lincoln."
The tour will begin and end in Bloomington. The group will visit more than a half dozen sites in the town, including the David Davis Mansion, where the group will even be served a catered dinner and view a presentation called "An Autobiography of A. Lincoln" by Lincoln presenter James Keeran.
From Bloomington, the group will visit a number of other sites, including courthouses in Metamora, Postville, and Mount Pulaski.
The tour will be led by Guy Fraker, a Bloomington attorney who is working on a book about Lincoln's time on the circuit. I've met Mr. Fraker on a number of occassions and like him very much. He is enthusiastic, knowledgable, and perhaps most importantly for a two-day tour, very cordial.
"Riding the 8th Judicial Circuit with Lincoln"
Where: Various sites in Central Illinois; the two-day tour begins and ends each day in Bloomington
When: Tours are May 29-30 or June 19-20.
Cost: $275 per person includes transportation, lunch both days, dinner Thursday night, entertainment and commentary by Lincoln authority Guy C. Fraker. Not included are motel accommodations and a Friday night dinner at C.J.'s Restaurant in Bloomington.
Tips: The tours involve walking. Wear comfortable shoes and bring an umbrella.
Registration deadlines: May 14 for the May tour, June 4 for the June tour.
More information: Judy Markowitz at (309) 663-2074 or email cityjudy@aol.com
PS: The image at the top of this post is a sketch called, "Lincoln, the Circuit Lawyer," by Lloyd Ostendorf. Ostendorf was a very talented artist who produced a great many sketches from Lincoln's life. This one is my favorite, but you can view, as well as purchase, others at Abraham Lincoln Collectables.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Can you identify what is wrong with this clip?
Many thanks to David Markwell for calling this Fox News blunder to my attention!
Apparently, the clip has already spawned some good humored parodies. Check out this one:
One more:
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Remember Congressman Ray LaHood and Senator Dick Durbin's bill that promised to create a historical-geographic entity called the "Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area?"
When I covered the story last October, the proposed piece of legislation had passed the House, but had yet to make its way through the Senate. However, the story quickly fell off my radar. I heard nothing about its fate and assumed the Senate killed it.
Well, it’s back. I haven’t worked out all the particulars, but I think it went something like this. The Senate modified the bill and then passed it. The modified bill then went back to the House for consideration. After debating the changes, the bill passed the House last Tuesday by a vote of 291-117. Now, the legislation goes to the president, who is expected to sign it into law.
As a result, central Illinois could receive up to $30 million over the next 15 years to promote Lincoln’s legacy. The financial figures include $1million annually from the federal government, plus an additional $1 million per year from public and private sources on the state and local level.
Of course, I’ll continue to follow this story and pass along more information as it becomes available.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
I want to thank all of the readers of Lincolnstudies.com for making April our most successful month to date! April readership was up a whopping 66% over April 2007.
As usual, we covered a wide-range of topics this month, which you can still read by visiting the April 2008 page in the Archive.
I especially want to thank Lewis Gannett for contributing such a fine guest editorial on April 4. His
article sparked several vigorous discussions on the Lincoln Studies Discussion Board.
If you haven't yet made the Discussion Board a regular part of your daily routine, I encourage you to do so. It gives us a chance to ask questions, find answers, workshop our ideas, and receive feedback.
I also want to call your attention to the painting at the top of this post. The piece is titled "Lincoln the Railsplitter" and was painted by Norman Rockwell in 1965. I just came across it today and like it very much.
The painting is on display at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio. They acquired the piece at auction in November 2006 for $1.6 million. The previous owner was none other than Texas billionaire/former presidential candidate Ross Perot. You can read more about the painting here.
Again, thanks to everyone
who made April 2008 a special month for LincolnStudies.com!
