Lincoln the Reader

LINCOLN THE READER
1810s to 1865

Reading was how Abraham Lincoln willed himself out of poverty and onto a path of greatness. His poor, rural upbringing denied him a formal education. By Lincoln’s own estimation, “the aggregate of [his] schooling did not amount to one year.” His stepmother taught him to read; the rest Lincoln did himself. A farmer that knew him as a child said he “was always reading and thinking.” In his twenties, Lincoln studied law independently and became a successful attorney without attending law school or apprenticing at a firm. From there, he became a congressman and, finally, a president. But these historical facts alone do not explain Lincoln’s indebtedness to reading. His greatness as a leader was in part his humanity, which developed from his lifelong engagement with literature, history, and America’s founding documents. Presented here is a partial recreation of Lincoln’s lifetime reading list.

William Shakespeare, The Plays and Poems of William Shakspeare [sic] (Philadelphia: Bioren and Madan, 1795–96).

William Shakespeare, The Works of William Shakspeare [sic] (Boston: Munroe [et al.], 1810–12).

The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments (Worcester [MA]: Thomas, 1799).

Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason (Paris: Barrois [London: Eaton], 1794).

William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England (Philadelphia: Bell, 1771–73). First American edition.

James Kent, Commentaries on American Law (New York: Halsted, 1826–30). First edition.

Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States (Boston: Hillard, Gray [Cambridge (MA): Brown, Shattuck], 1833). First edition.

[Declaration of Independence], The Pennsylvania Magazine: Or, American Monthly Museum (Philadelphia: Aitken, 1776). First magazine appearance.

[United States Constitution], The Columbian Magazine or Monthly Miscellany (Philadelphia: Seddon [et al.], 1787). Presumed first periodical printing.

George Washington, Columbia’s Legacy; or, Washington’s Valuable Advice to His Fellow Citizens (Philadelphia: Sweitzer & Ormrod, 1796). First book-form edition.