A. Lincoln 3

Biographers, American Civil War neophiles, those interested in 19th Century history, almost everyone, have a fascination with Abraham Lincoln. Many think it is only because Lincoln was brought up in squalor, and to paraphrase William Herndon, ignited himself from a "putrid pool" and rose to the utmost success. In other words, he was a great president, and fascinating.

I say this is true, but it is also that his Melancholia (Depression) fascinates all of us. As one biographer put it, when Lincoln spoke his face displayed such sadness and what he said came out as nothing, but the truth, that people were very much impressed by him.

Lincoln's depression made much of his discipline and thought, although I do disagree that he was depressed most of the time. It's as though his depressions brought on a thought pattern that wouldn't allow apathy, but quite the opposite. This more than anything made him rise to heights that may have been unattainable otherwise. It is the "putrid pool" syndrome.

By not allowing his Depression to debilitate him, he let it hone his mind, as a laser beam finely cuts a die which becomes a most useful tool! Lincoln wasn't lazy and this ability, surely would prepare him for a greatness, few others if any could attain.