Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the USA, is a prominent historical figure. He is well-known for his brave leadership during the US Civil War, even though he had little knowledge about warfare. While he is widely known for his presidency, there are also speculations about his mental health. What he called ‘melancholy’ is now doubted to be clinical depression. Lincoln was subjected to grave loss since his childhood. This, along with politics, came together, causing him a lot of stress and despair. This article explores the evidence and historical context surrounding the possibility of Abraham Lincoln experiencing depression.
Early Life and Personal Changes:
Abraham Lincoln was born on 12 February 1809 in a backwoods cabin on ‘Sinking Spring Farm’ near Hodgenville, Kentucky. He was the second of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln’s 3 children. Growing up, Lincoln was keen on reading, so, a large part of his education came from learning by himself. However, the source of his keenness for learning was not known as both of his parents wasn’t very literate. Since a young age, he has witnessed scarring events that have impacted his mental health in the long run. His younger brother, Thomas, passed away as an infant. He also experienced the death of his mother in 1818, at the young age of 9, which seems to have had a lasting impact on his mental health as he grew up.
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Although this was the unhappiest period in his childhood, he could later cope with it when his father remarried. His new stepmother, Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln, was widowed and had three children of her own. However, she had enough love to offer to him and his sister. Lincoln and his stepmother grew fond of each other soon. She also encouraged the young boy’s fascination for reading, letting him pursue his interests.
Although he did not have access to a large number of books, he thoroughly went through all of those that he had read, utilizing his resources to the full extent. Some of these books included the ‘Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington’ by Parson Weems, ‘Robinson Crusoe’ by Daniel Defoe, ‘Fables’ by Aesop, and ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ by John Bunyan. In his teenage years, Lincoln had actively undertaken chores, handing over all his earnings to his father. He grew up to be tall and athletic, pursuing wrestling actively. In 1830, his family migrated to Illinois fearing a milk sickness outbreak. At this point, having just turned 21, he was ready to pursue a life on his own.
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Lincoln’s Political Career and Rise to Presidency:
After moving to Illinois, Lincoln dabbled in many different occupations, including rail-splitter, post-master and surveyor, among others. He considered blacksmithing as a trade before finally settling for law. After studying law books, Lincoln started to practice law, clearing his bar examination in 1836. During this time, Andrew Jackson was the president of the USA. His career in politics began in Springfield, Illinois, where he could seek more opportunities. Due to his hard work and dedication, Lincoln was able to earn a decent living soon into his career.
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During this period, Lincoln met his love, Mary Todd, who was from Kentucky. After the engagement, in 1841, Lincoln called off the wedding. This caused him terrible depression. In 1842, however, Abraham Lincoln got married and had four children with Mary, all of whom were boys. After assisting the Illinois Central Railroad in getting a charter from the state, Lincoln became a regular attorney there. After about 20 years of practice, he became a prominent name in the list of successful lawyers in Illinois. He was known for being shrewd, fair, and utterly honest in his practice.
Abraham Lincoln served in the military as a Captain during the Black Hawk War. His first campaign speech after returning advocated navigational improvements on the Sangamon River. He lost the election due to lack of money, power and the right connections. Although he faced difficulty during this campaign, he bounced back. During Lincoln’s second campaign, he stood in the elections as a part of the Whig Party. This was followed by his four terms in Sangamon County’s Illinois House of Representatives. In 1858, Lincoln and his political rival, Stephen A.
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Douglas, engaged in a series of debates, as Lincoln challenged him for the senate seat. Lincoln’s loss in this election added to his symptoms of depression. His resilience pulled him through this situation. He later published a book titled ‘The Lincoln-Douglas Debates’ in 1860. In the same year, he also became a presidential prospect. This time, he received the majority of the votes and won the election. Abraham Lincoln started his presidential term on March 4, 1861, with his inaugural address, where he restated his Sumter policy and appealed for harmony.
The Civil War and Personal Loss:
Soon after he began his term as the president, Lincoln was faced with the Civil War. He is known for his outstanding leadership even though he had just started to get settled in his role. The start of action was slow since Lincoln had to decide while getting contradicting advice from the people surrounding him. He finally decided on sending two relief expeditions, one for Fort Sumter, and the other for Fort Pickens. He aimed at neither provoking war, nor maintaining peace as he saw the strategy to be fit for the situation. He reacted to circumstances created by others, rather than originating policies.
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During this period, the president also lost his second son, Eddie. This negatively impacted him, as well as his wife. On top of dealing with his son’s death, Lincoln also has to witness his wife’s coping mechanism of spending too much money and showing signs of a jealous wife. He said that he suffered from ‘melancholy’ which is now believed to be clinical depression. However, he didn’t let it stop him from fulfilling his responsibilities towards the nation. Abraham Lincoln delivered many speeches, including the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation, sharing his vision to free the nation.
Lincoln was the first to create a high-command organization that aimed at gathering energies and resources in the total war strategy. As time passed, his effectiveness in directing the army also increased. His achievement during the war was remarkable considering that he lacked training and experience in warfare. As a result, he was considered to be a military genius.
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Historical Accounts and Perspectives:
Looking at his successful presidential term, it should not come as a surprise that there is a variety to choose from, if one wishes to read a biographical account of Abraham Lincoln. This ranged from that of Michael Burlingame, who provided a detailed description of Lincoln’s youth, to Ronald White, whose focus lay on his legal and political career. The book ‘Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,’ by Doris Kearns Goodwin highlighted the president’s personality. Lincoln kept his rivals close, as they were part of his cabinet. While it is widely agreed that Abraham Lincoln was a great and resilient leader, perspectives on his mental state differed. Many suggest that Lincoln battled melancholy. Considering his heavy past, as well as his struggles on the political front, it is needless to say that Lincoln was under a lot of stress. He also suffered from chronic physical fatigue, although he didn’t complain of it.
Lincoln’s Coping Mechanisms:
Through his constant struggles, Lincoln managed to pull through for himself, as well as for his country. He took to his humour and wit to reduce the visibility of stress that he undertook. According to Dr. Shutes, he was a habitual smoker. When he needed it, but couldn’t find a cigarette, Lincoln rested in a horizontal position- on the grass, the floor or the sofa. Many people attested that the president was not much of a drinker.
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Lincoln heavily relied on existent relationships and support systems as a coping mechanism. Thus, the loss of close ones deeply affected him. William Seward, the Secretary of State, provided crucial support to him. He also saw his sons and wife as a source of comfort. The president also found himself often contemplating various topics. He constantly reflected on the gravity of his decisions. He was an avid reader but also loved writing. Many letters and notes written by this man prove that he turned to writing as a method of therapy.
Final Thoughts:
Abraham Lincoln is one of many prominent figures who have exceptionally contributed to society. However, it is important that people also recognize the ‘human’ part of these famous figures. By considering Lincoln’s life from the perspective of his mental health, you can better understand their choices and decisions. This also helps in recognizing that everyone is not perfect. Abraham Lincoln has left behind a legacy, encouraging people to be resilient in their pursuits. As mental health is gaining more recognition, this point of view is also being considered while looking at people who have left their mark on history. While doing so, the topic must be approached with sensitivity. This lets society gain a better understanding of all successors, making room for growth and compassion.
References +
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abraham-Lincoln/Reputation-and-character
- https://www.npr.org/2005/10/26/4976127/exploring-abraham-lincolns-melancholy
- https://www.abrahamlincolnsclassroom.org/abraham-lincoln-in-depth/president-lincolns-moods/
- https://patrickhosken.medium.com/i-am-now-the-most-miserable-man-living-ffd561406430
- https://www.mindwise.org/blog/mental-health/lincolns-melancholy/
- https://hbr.org/2018/09/lincoln-and-the-art-of-transformative-leadership
- https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/leadership/the-leadership-journey-of-abraham-lincoln
- https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/09/opinions/lincoln-inspiration-coronavirus-masur/index.html
- https://academic.oup.com/book/26252/chapter-abstract/194458984?redirectedFrom=fulltext
- https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna27050783
- https://bestpresidentialbios.com/2014/06/28/the-best-biographies-of-abraham-lincoln/
- https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2006/spring/interview.html
- https://www.abrahamlincolnsclassroom.org/abraham-lincoln-in-depth/abraham-lincolns-health/
