Tag: Abraham Lincoln

Rare Lincoln Photo Found in Grant Album

What may be the last photo to be taken of Abraham Lincoln before his death has surfaced in an a photo album of Ulysses S. Grant. Ulysses S. Grant VI, President Grant’s great-great-grandson, was recently looking at a White House photo in the album and noticed a tall man in the distance. He contacted a Lincoln photography collector who examined the photo and identified the figure as Lincoln. Upon removal of the photo from the album, a handwritten description was discovered on the back: “Lincoln in front of the White House.” Also on the back was the date 1865 and the photographer’s seal.

There are only around 130 known photographs of Abraham Lincoln making any photo of him rare, but this photo would be the only known photo of Lincoln in front of the White House. Based on the photographer’s seal and other known information, it is estimated the picture was taken in March of 1865. Since Lincoln was assassinated in April 1865, it may very well be the last photo taken of him before his death.

10 Interesting Facts About Abraham Lincoln

10. Lincoln has no heirs

Although Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln produced four sons, there are no living descendants today. Three of their sons died before the age of twenty. Edward died at the age of four, Willie at twelve and Tad at the age of eighteen. Robert was the only child to live to adulthood and his last known descendant died in 1985.

9. Lincoln’s son was saved by his assassin’s brother

Shortly before his father was assassinated, Robert Lincoln was at at train station where he fell between the platform and the train as the train began to move. He was pulled to safety by a prominent actor of the time named Edwin Booth. Edwin was the brother of John Wilkes Booth, who would later assassinate President Lincoln.

8. Lincoln fought in the Civil War…sort of

Lincoln felt as the leader of the nation’s military, the president should be fighting in the Civil War but obviously couldn’t because of his duties. When J. Summerfield Staples heard this, he volunteered to fight as a substitute for Lincoln. Staples was the son of an Army chaplain and both he and his father fought in and survived the war.

7. Lincoln’s beard was historic

Lincoln was the first president to sport a beard while serving in office. Continue reading “10 Interesting Facts About Abraham Lincoln”