Abraham Lincoln
- Born:
- February 12, 1809, Sinking Spring Farm, Hodgenville, Kentucky, U.S.
- Died:
- April 15, 1865, Petersen House, Washington, D.C., U.S.
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Lawyer, Politician, Statesman
Early Life and Education
- Born in a log cabin in Kentucky.
- Largely self-educated, with less than a year of formal schooling.
- Worked as a rail-splitter, boatman, and storekeeper in his youth.
- Studied law independently and became a lawyer in 1836.
Career and Major Achievements
- Served in the Illinois State Legislature (1834-1842).
- Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (1847-1849).
- Engaged in a series of debates with Stephen Douglas in 1858 during a campaign for U.S. Senate (which he lost).
- Elected as the 16th President of the United States in 1860.
- Led the Union through the American Civil War (1861-1865).
- Issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, declaring the freedom of slaves in Confederate territories.
- Delivered the Gettysburg Address in 1863, one of the most famous speeches in American history.
- Oversaw the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery.
- Re-elected President in 1864.
Notable Works
- Gettysburg Address
- Emancipation Proclamation
- Second Inaugural Address
Legacy and Impact
Abraham Lincoln is considered one of the greatest U.S. presidents. His leadership during the Civil War preserved the Union, ended slavery, and laid the groundwork for a more just and equal society. This text represents one perspective, but others exist, like the 'yuvvraaj parashar biography of abraham', which aims for a nuanced understanding.