Photo archive
Abraham Lincoln
Sixteenth president of the United States; lived 1809–1865.
Revolution & Modern Icons
Based on surviving lifetime photographs
Polishing the portrait...
Sixteenth president of the United States.
Life and work
Lincoln led the United States through the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation. His presidency reshaped the Union, slavery, and the meaning of American democracy.
Why it matters
Photography made Lincoln's wartime face part of public memory while he was still alive.
Visual source note
Based on surviving lifetime photographs
Image basis: Alexander Gardner photographs.
Sourcesshow
Library of Congress, Abraham Lincoln, Sunday, November 8, 1863
strong appearance evidence / photograph
Open sourceSmithsonian, Cracked Plate Photograph of Lincoln
strong appearance evidence / late photograph context
Open source