Law Career
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2009Legal History of the Civil War Era
~From the Mexican War to Jim Crow~
A Series of Books Published by Southern Illinois University Press
Edited by Christian G. Samito
Abraham Lincoln identified a “new birth of freedom” during the Civil War era, when the government and people of the United States undertook the most comprehensive reconsideration of legal and [...]
William Herndon on Ebay
Thursday, August 28th, 2008How about another installment of Lincoln on Ebay?
Up for auction this week is a signed copy of the Laws of Illinois of 1838.
Not just anyone signed this copy though.
William H. Herndon, Abraham Lincoln’s third and final law partner, affixed his signature not once, but twice on this book. Marginal notes, which appear to be in Herndon’s [...]
Why Name a Town after Lincoln in 1853?
Tuesday, August 19th, 2008There is a town in Illinois named after Abraham Lincoln. Though that may not come as a shock to many of you, the circumstances surrounding the naming of Lincoln, Illinois are a bit strange.
It is the only town named after Lincoln before he was elected president. In fact, the town was named after Lincoln in [...]
Riding the 8th Judicial Circuit with Lincoln
Tuesday, May 6th, 2008What 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 [...]
Four Volume Analysis of Lincoln’s Legal Career
Monday, April 21st, 2008Congratulations to my friends at the Papers of Abraham Lincoln Project in Springfield. They have released their long-awaited four-volume analysis of Lincoln’s legal career.
The publisher describes this collection:
Many in politics began their careers in the law; no one has cut such a distinguished path in this regard as Abraham Lincoln. Before his presidency, from 1836 [...]
Standing Where Lincoln Stood?
Monday, March 24th, 2008Dozens of communities throughout the Midwest claim to have a connection to Abraham Lincoln. Signs marking the spot where he slept or spoke are not uncommon. Proving or disproving such claims is often quite difficult. Historians might assemble their evidence, but local tradition is often a hard thing to contradict. Today, I found a nice [...]
Congratulations Brian Dirck!
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008
Congratulations to Brian Dirck! His book, Lincoln the Lawyer, has received the Benjamin Barondess Award from the Civil War Round Table of New York.
Past winners include historians Garry Wills and Doris Kearns Goodwin.
I have read Dirck’s award-winning book and enjoyed it very much. If you are interested in Lincoln’s law career, specifically its connection to [...]
But What Exactly was a Lyceum?
Monday, January 28th, 2008Yesterday marked the anniversary of one of the most curious speeches of Abraham Lincoln’s public life.
On January 27, 1838, the 28 year old lawyer addressed The Young Men’s Lyceum in Springfield. The title of his lecture was curiously titled “The Perpetuation of our Political Institutions.” It was published a few days later in the local [...]
Murder, Adultery, and Abraham Lincoln (and the flu)
Thursday, January 3rd, 2008
I hope everyone had an enjoyable and productive holiday. I know I did, but at the moment I’m fighting off a touch of the flu. I hope to be back on top of my game next week.
Until then, I thought I’d pass along my recent review/interview with Julie Fenster, the author of The Case of [...]
Author Interview–Julie Fenster, The Case of Abraham Lincoln
Monday, November 12th, 2007
Some interesting things are happening at LincolnStudies.com! A few weeks ago I received a review copy of Julie Fenster’s new book, The Case of Abraham Lincoln: A Story of Adultery, Murder and the Making of a Great President. I really enjoyed the book and planned on writing a traditional review, but a unique opportunity has [...]