I had not seen this
Seen on the interwebs earlier today, the oldest known photograph of Abraham Lincoln. Proving that he wasn’t always a freaky-looking dude. Of portrait photography, the robot says: “the practice became common for the middle class during the 1840s, and by the 1850s–1860s it was a routine part of American life.”
He was born in 1809, so in his thirties or forties here. He was 56 when he was elected president. I guess it was a hard twenty years.
Posted: November 2nd, 2026 under personal.
Comments: 3
Comments
Comment from Deborah HH
Time: November 2, 2026, 10:49 pm
Don’t know why, but I’ve never read a Lincoln biography. I do remember extended lessons about Lincoln and Washington when I was a sixth grader. Back when their February birthdays were still celebrated separately. Maybe I thought that was sufficient.
Stoaty—he was 51 when first elected President. He was assassinated April 14, 1865 at age 56. In Lincoln’s last photo, taken March 6, 1865, there is very little gray in his hair and beard. But he looked terrible.
I should find a Lincoln biography. Any suggestions?
Comment from Rich Rostrom
Time: November 2, 2026, 11:53 pm
During the War, a lady from Pennsylvania came to Washington to plead for a pardon for her son, who had been condemned for desertion or cowardice. She was from the home district of Rep. Thaddeus Stevens, who escorted her to the White House, and took her in to see Lincoln. She made her plea, and Lincoln then asked Stevens what he should do. Stevens was a hard-war man, who had criticized Lincoln for his lenity in such cases – but the lady was his constituent. Much against his preference (as Lincoln knew), he said the pardon should be issued, and Lincoln immediately wrote it out. As they were leaving the White House, the lady said “It was a lie. I knew it was a lie!”
Stevens immediately said “No, no, madame, the pardon is entirely valid.”
She explained: “When I left home this morning, my neighbor told me I should find Mr. Lincoln was an ugly man. But I think he is the handsomest man I ever saw in my life!”
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