Lincoln's Path To Law: A Historical Perspective

Abraham Lincoln's legal career in Illinois spanned nearly 25 years, during which he handled cases at almost all levels of the court, including justice of the peace, county, circuit, appellate, and federal. Lincoln did not attend law school but instead taught himself law by studying under established lawyers. In 1834, Lincoln borrowed law books from Springfield attorney John T. Stuart and passed an oral exam in 1836, receiving his law license. Lincoln went on to form three successive partnerships with Stuart, Stephen T. Logan, and William H. Herndon before being elected President.

Lincoln's self-education

Abraham Lincoln's legal career was the result of dedicated self-education. Born in 1809, Lincoln had a rough childhood, with his family moving from state to state. Eventually, they settled in Indiana, where Lincoln worked on the family farm. From a young age, he was interested in reading and learning, but financial constraints meant he had to contribute to the household income. Lincoln was largely self-taught and learned to read while in Kentucky, even scratching words on the back of a shovel when he lacked paper.

Lincoln's interest in law began with a hobby of visiting courthouses to hear examples of oratory discourse. He soon started reading law books, and in 1834, he caught the attention of John Stuart, a Springfield attorney. Stuart lent him law books and encouraged him to pursue a legal career. Lincoln studied under Stuart and, in less than three years, was admitted to the bar, joining Stuart as a junior partner. Lincoln did not attend law school, which was normal at the time, as there were very few law schools in the US. Instead, it was customary to study under established lawyers. However, Lincoln lived in a rural area, so he had to teach himself.

Lincoln's law practice

Abraham Lincoln's legal career in Illinois spanned nearly 25 years, during which he worked with diligence and established himself as an astute, honest, and successful lawyer. Unlike most lawyers of his time, Lincoln did not attend law school, instead teaching himself the law by reading law books and studying under established lawyers. In 1834, Lincoln's interest in the law caught the attention of Springfield attorney John T. Stuart, who lent him law books and later took him on as a junior partner in 1837.

Lincoln received his law license in 1836 and was admitted to the bar, allowing him to practice law in Illinois. He moved to Springfield, Illinois, in 1837, and his partnership with Stuart lasted until 1841. During this time, Lincoln successfully represented accused murderer Henry Truett in 1838 and argued his first case before the Illinois Supreme Court in 1840.

In 1841, Lincoln ended his partnership with Stuart and formed a new one with Stephen T. Logan, a leading lawyer in Sangamon County. Logan introduced Lincoln to new areas of law beyond the smaller courts and cases. Lincoln travelled within the Eighth Judicial Circuit and later expanded his practice outside of this circuit. During their partnership, Lincoln focused on bankruptcy law due to the new Bankruptcy Act that went into effect in 1842. Their partnership ended in 1844 when Logan wanted to partner with his son.

Lincoln then formed his third and final partnership with William H. Herndon, with whom he shared an office in Springfield. Lincoln was the senior partner, and they split the proceeds equally. They travelled the Eighth Judicial Circuit extensively, where Lincoln met many future political supporters and allies. During his legal career, Lincoln handled hundreds of cases, including railroad cases and those involving slavery and civil rights. He was well-known for his honesty and good moral character, earning the nickname "Honest Old Abe".

Lincoln's legal career came to an end when he was elected President of the United States, though he had planned to continue his law practice after his presidency.

Lincoln's political career

Abraham Lincoln's political career was rich and rocky before he became the 16th President of the United States in 1861. Lincoln's political views on slavery evolved throughout his life, and he was an early advocate for women's suffrage.

In 1847, Lincoln was elected to the US Congress, serving a single term until 1849. During this time, he proposed a bill for the gradual and compensated emancipation of enslaved people in the District of Columbia. However, the bill was not seriously considered as it was to take effect only with the approval of the "free white citizens" of the district. Lincoln also devoted much of his time to presidential politics, opposing the Mexican War and working for the nomination and election of Zachary Taylor.

After his term in Congress, Lincoln seemed to be at the end of his public career. However, he re-entered politics in 1858 when he ran against Stephen A. Douglas for the Illinois Senate seat. Although he lost the election, Lincoln gained a national reputation through his debates with Douglas. This led to his nomination as the Republican candidate for President in 1860.

Lincoln's road to the presidency was marked by his evolving views on slavery and his commitment to preserving the Union. In his inaugural address, he warned the South that the "momentous issue of civil war" was in their hands and that he would defend the Federal law and the Union. When Confederate batteries fired on Fort Sumter, Lincoln called on the states for volunteers, marking the start of the Civil War.

As President, Lincoln built the Republican Party into a strong national organization and rallied most of the northern Democrats to support the Union. He also issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, declaring forever free those slaves within the Confederacy. Lincoln's dedication to ending the Civil War and ensuring freedom and equality for all Americans remains one of his most enduring legacies.

Lincoln's advocacy for women's suffrage

Abraham Lincoln's legal career in Illinois spanned nearly 25 years, and he was admitted to the bar in 1836. Lincoln had three law partners over the course of his career: John Stuart, Stephen Logan, and William Herndon. He did not attend law school but instead taught himself law by studying under established lawyers and reading law books.

Lincoln's legacy inspired women in ways he never could have predicted. In 1910, Washington state voted in favour of women's suffrage, a decade before the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed it nationally. It is possible that Lincoln's words influenced this vote. A poster declaring, "Lincoln said women should vote", was printed as a supplement to the *Votes for Women* magazine, edited by suffragist Missouri T. B. Hanna in Seattle. The poster quoted Lincoln as saying, "I go for all sharing the privileges of the government, who assist in bearing its burdens. Consequently, I go for admitting all whites to the right of suffrage, who pay taxes or bear arms, (by no means excluding females)".

While Lincoln was never known as an outspoken advocate of voting rights for women, the invocation of his memory, in concert with a wider campaign for suffrage, was successful in Washington State. It is unclear whether Lincoln intended to advocate for women's suffrage with his original statement. Lincoln biographer David Herbert Donald calls this statement a "tongue-in-cheek joke", as women were not allowed to join the militia and bear arms.

Lincoln's opposition to slavery

Abraham Lincoln's career as a lawyer spanned nearly 25 years, during which he worked on several cases involving slavery. Lincoln's opposition to slavery was clear, but his views on racial equality were more complicated. While he believed that slavery was morally wrong, he did not identify as an abolitionist. Lincoln's stance on social and political equality for African Americans evolved over his presidency.

Lincoln also represented the Rock Island Bridge Company in a case against Jefferson Davis in 1857. The case had broader implications as the bridge in question made a transnational railroad route through the North possible, which was opposed by Southerners who favoured a southern route. Lincoln helped the Rock Island Bridge Company win their case, allowing the bridge to be rebuilt.

In addition to his legal career, Lincoln's opposition to slavery was also evident in his political career. He joined the Whigs, a party that had coalesced against executive power and the potential for political figures to establish sweeping powers. As the Whigs transformed into the Republican Party, Lincoln became a leading voice, advocating for moderation on the issue of slavery, international economic protectionism, and support for domestic industry. Lincoln made no secret of his opposition to slavery, although he saw containment, rather than eradication, as the path forward.

Lincoln's views on racial equality were more complicated. In an 1858 debate with his opponent in the Illinois race for the US Senate, Stephen Douglas, Lincoln clarified his position. He stated that he did not support "bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and Black races". Lincoln opposed Black people having the right to vote, serve on juries, hold office, and intermarry with whites. However, he believed that Black men had the right to improve their condition in society and enjoy the fruits of their labour, and in this way, they were equal to white men.

Lincoln's stance on racial equality evolved during his presidency. In the last speech of his life, delivered on April 11, 1865, he argued for limited Black suffrage, suggesting that any Black man who had served the Union during the Civil War should have the right to vote.

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