Abraham Lincoln: A Brief Biography
Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861
until his assassination in 1865. Born in a log cabin in Kentucky, Lincoln rose from humble
beginnings to become a self-taught lawyer, legislator, and one of America's most revered leaders.
He is best known for leading the country through the Civil War, preserving the Union, and
issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, which began the process of freedom for America's
enslaved people. His Gettysburg Address remains one of the most iconic speeches in American
history.
Lincoln was re-elected in 1864 but was tragically assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in April
1865, just days after the war ended. His legacy endures as a symbol of integrity, perseverance,
and the fight for equality.