Passion or Profession: President

Period: 1809–1865

Abraham Lincoln was born to humble parents living on the frontier of the United States, but he went on to become a lawyer, an Illinois politician, and finally president. During his presidency, Lincoln abolished slavery and, by winning the Civil War, confirmed the federal government's authority over the states of the Union. He is admired today for these achievements, his speeches (including the “Gettysburg Address”), and his reputation for honesty and hard work. Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 by an angry supporter of the Confederation, John Wilkes Booth.