"Some historians say that to focus on the personality of a famous figure is to neglect the context in which he/she lived. My argument is that personality provides a way to attract students to history because it allows them to make a personal connection to the past." - Joe Illick
Abraham Lincoln 1861-1865
Grew up in a cabin, Honest Abe did.
Studied by firelight when he was a kid.
Became a lawyer when he was a man.
Elected president, the first Republican.
Known for learning, wit, and truth.
Killed at Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth.
These are facts but there is more:
He presided over the Civil War.
Though many men went to their graves,
He saved the Union, and he freed the slaves.
Studied by firelight when he was a kid.
Became a lawyer when he was a man.
Elected president, the first Republican.
Known for learning, wit, and truth.
Killed at Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth.
These are facts but there is more:
He presided over the Civil War.
Though many men went to their graves,
He saved the Union, and he freed the slaves.