Abraham Lincoln’s beard, was a young girl’s idea and eventually became part of the President’s persona and fame. Lincoln who had always remained clean-shaven, was not known for his comely appearance. Angular and ungainly, overly long arms and legs, the attorney and newly elected President was the brunt of public and media comedy. Lincoln would be the first to acknowledge his shocking image and used it to many advantages.
President Lincoln often told the story of a peddler that he met on a rail car, when he was riding the circuit. He was approached by the stranger, who related that he was in possession of an article that belonged to Lincoln. “Old Abe” asked how that could be? The peddler took a knife from his pocket and stated that he had been given the dagger and had been told to hold it in safe keeping, until he met someone uglier than himself, and now, sir, you are fairly entitled to the property.
Lincoln, before his Presidential election, related another incident where he was introduced to a political supporter from Pennsylvania, who had painted a stylized rendering of the candidate. The future President gazed on the portrait, gazed back at the artist, gazed back at the portrait and thanked the political activist profusely and then stated, “I presume sir, that you took your idea of me, from my principles and not from my person.”
Soon after Lincoln had been elected, he received a letter from a young girl in a New York town. By her own hand and childish ways, after seeing a picture of the President, she suggested, that he “would be a better looking man if he would let his beard grow.” President Lincoln had this New York town on his agenda, while traveling to Washington and made an unscheduled stop, hoping to meet his young correspondent. Lincoln made a brief speech and referenced the young girl, calling out if she was in the crowd. The child was there and joined President Lincoln at the rear of the car and he related to the throng,
“This little lady, saw from the first that great improvement might be made to my personal appearance. You all see that I am not a handsome man; and to be honest with you, neither I nor any of my friends ever boasted very much about my personal beauty and I intend to follow this little girl’s advice.”
From that moment forward President Abraham Lincoln allowed his beard to grow all over his face, except for his upper lip. Lincoln would always fondly remember his beard and the young girl’s idea, relating,
“How small a thing will sometimes change the whole aspect of our lives.”
Bummer
Had heard the story of Grace’s letter but learned only recently that Lincoln and Grace eventually met at that stop in NY. What a charming ending to their story!
LoyaltyOfDogs,
Great tale I heard years ago, didn’t know what the girl’s name was, now Bummer can call her Gracie. Sweet yarn, if it’s not true it should be. Thanks for the read. New Post every day!
Bummer
What a wonderful story. I never thought of a reason for his beard other than many other men were sporting them. It seemed like almost all the Generals on both sides of the war had beards, so I just thought it what was in style at the time. Thanks for sharing this tidbit.
Sandy,
Sorry for the late reply, family in for Super Bowl or something, have nothing other than Lincoln’s Staff and Lamon’s recollections on the “Beard Tale.” Great story and fits “Abe perfectly. Playing the “kid card” in public is always a successful political move, in this case, if it isn’t true, it should be. Thanks for reading!
Bummer
Bummer, I’ve always wondered about this story. It’s such a great one – I remember seeing a movie about it when I was a kid (Dennis Weaver played Lincoln). Still, I have a tough time believing that Grace’s letter was the only reason Lincoln grew a beard. Call me a cynic. Still, I hope it is true.
Louis,
More family arrived in the north country today. Maybe for Super Bowl, who knows? Heard this tale long ago and remember seeing Weaver as Lincoln, don’t recall Grace’s part of the story. Another of those, if it isn’t true, it should be. We’ll never know and that’s probably OK.
Bummer