Born in a log cabin. Walked miles to school; when it was winter, he carried a hot baked potato to keep his hands warm. His mother died of "the milk sick" when he was about 8. His father remarried and his stepmother took an interest in him and encouraged Abe to read. Later, he became a lawyer by reading statutes and case law. He was able to eventually debate one of the great orators of his time, Stephen Douglas -- and win. His first love died prematurely. The woman he did marry was occasionally histrionic. He himself suffered from depression. One son was died as a toddler; another died of typhoid as a young boy (Willie). Six years after his assassination, Tad died of heart failure at the age of 17.

He felt responsible for the death of every soldier, both Union and Confederate. He didn't relish being Commander-In-Chief.

As a young Cogressman, he initially supported the Dred Scott decision. He supported it as he was in conflict with the prospect of the destruction of The Union (the federalization of all states as a country). He believed that if Dred Scott had allowed "slaves" to be recognized as citizens entitled to the full protection of the U.S. Constitution, the South would withdraw from the Union and that prospect deeply troubled him. He wasn't in favor of slavery but looked at the big picture at that time and the future of this country. He changed his mind about Dred Scott albeit it was after-the-fact of the South withdrawing from the Union.

My teacher taught us about the assassination in a way that reminded me of positive karma: His work was done and then he was gone. I was 8 at the time and just shook my head. He had so much more potential for Reconstruction and the direction to point this country after The War.

Because he believed that our Union had never ceased to be, his views on the post-rebellion United States were in marked contrast to those held by a majority in his party. President Lincoln believed that time was of the essence in 'restoring the practical relationship' between the rebellious states and the federal (general) government, because if it could be (largely) accomplished before Congress could come into session and formulate policy on the matter, the American people would force Congress to accept what the administration had done as a fait accompli'. Those revisionist historians who believe otherwise ignore Lincoln's own words, wherein he plainly said that such was his intention:

"... With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations ....". (Second Inaugural Address, March 4th, 1865).

In no way did Lincoln envision Reconstruction, as it came to be. How much misery, hatred and bitterness might we have been spared, had he lived?

As they grew to know each other over the course of the Civil War, Sumner became an admirer of Lincoln's, growing very fond of him. Upon learning of the President's death, Sen. Sumner wept, saying, "The best hope for a just and lasting peace shall now be laid in his tomb. My God, what have they done?".