47 Interesting Facts About Abraham Lincoln

Last updated on April 19th, 2022

32. Lincoln had long legs and did not appear tall when he was seated. Moreover, he was thin and had a beard (the first president to sport a beard while serving in office.) He had one of the most recognizable faces of all the U.S. presidents. An 11-year old girl from Westfield, New York, was the inspiration behind Lincoln’s beard.

33. Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln were born on the same day.

34. Lincoln’s grandfather’s name was also Abraham Linkhorn (Lincoln). He lived between May 1738 and May 1786. Today, there are no confirmed living descendants of Abraham Lincoln.

Facts about Abraham Lincoln’s famous assassination

35. Lincoln was actually a fan of his assassin. John Wilkes Booth, who is better known as Lincoln’s assassin today, was an accomplished actor at the time, and Lincoln was his fan.

36. It was Good Friday, the day he was shot.

37. Lincoln’s assassin John Wilkes Booth’s brother saved the life of his son at New Jersey railway station.

38. Before he got assassinated, Abraham Lincoln had dreamt of his assassination.

39. His coffin has been opened 5 times.

40. Lincoln was in a coma between the time he was shot and the time he passed away the next morning.

41. Lincoln’s bodyguard John Parker was missing from his position when Lincoln was attacked, and no one knows where he was.

42. Lincoln’s assassin “Booth” was on the run for 12 days after his murder.

Stage and seating of Ford's Theatre. The theater is infamous as the site of President Abraham Lincoln's assassination by John Wilkes Booth in 1865.
Stage and seating of Ford’s Theatre. The theater is infamous as the site of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination by John Wilkes Booth in 1865.

43. Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theater on April 14th, 1865 and he died the following day.

Read the first newspaper article published on 15th April 1865 by The New York Times, declaring the assassination attempt on President Lincoln.  

The connection between “Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy”

Here are a few facts that establish some sort of connection between the two popular U.S. presidents.

44. Lincoln and John F. Kennedy were both shot in the head on a Friday.

45. Their successors were named Johnson. Lincoln’s was Andrew Johnson, Kennedy’s was Lyndon Johnson.

46. Lincoln was shot in a theater named Ford, Kennedy was shot in a car (a Lincoln) made by Ford.

47. The names Lincoln and Kennedy both contain seven letters.

Famous and inspirational quotes by Abraham Lincoln

1. “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” 

2. “Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” 

3. “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”

4. “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

5. “No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.”

6. “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

7.Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”

8. “Whatever you are, be a good one.” 

9. “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

10. “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.”

11. “If once you forfeit the confidence of your fellow-citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem.” 

12. “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” 

13. “I do the very best I know how – the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.”

14. “Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.” 

15. “No man is good enough to govern another man without the other’s consent.” 

16. “When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion.”

17. “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

18. “Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him work diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built.”

19. “My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.” 

20. “Everybody likes a compliment.” 

21. “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” 

22. “He has a right to criticize, who has the heart to help.”

23. “A friend is one who has the same enemies as you have.”

Abraham Lincoln – Quick facts

Full NameAbraham Lincoln
Best known for16th President of the United States.
In office:
March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865

Preceded by: James Buchanan

Succeeded by: Andrew Johnson
Vice PresidentHannibal Hamlin
Political partyWhig (before 1854)
Republican (1854–1864)
National Union (1864–1865)
BornFebruary 12, 1809
Hodgenville, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedApril 15, 1865
Petersen House,
Washington, D.C., U.S.
NicknameHonest Abe
FatherThomas Lincoln
MotherNancy Hanks Lincoln
SpouseMary Todd Lincoln
ChildrenRobert, Edward, William, Thomas
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Languages KnownEnglish
Age at the time of death56 years
Field of workLawyer and politician
Cause of Death Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth using a Philadelphia Deringer pistol
Resting placeLincoln Tomb, Oak Ridge Cemetery
Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
Signature

Abraham Lincoln 1862 signature.svg

Peak net worth (in current dollars)< $1 million
Table last updatedFebruary 20, 2020