We rarely find examples of insistent persistence for success, like those of Abraham Lincoln. Born in poverty, brought up in a log cabin, he had to face defeat throughout his life. He lost eight elections, failed in business twice, suffered a nervous breakdown and was bedridden for six months. He could have quit many times, but he didn’t quit and became one of the greatest presidents in America.
Here is a sketch of Lincoln’s long and tumultuous journey to the White House:
- 1816 His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
- 1818 His mother died when he was 9.
- 1831 Failed in business.
- 1832 Ran for state legislature, and lost.
- 1832 Also lost his job – wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.
- 1833 Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and was bankrupt by the end of the year. He spent the next 17 years paying off this debt.
- 1834 Ran for state legislature again, and won.
- 1835 Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died, and his heart was broken.
- 1836 Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
- 1838 Sought to become speaker of the state legislature, was defeated.
- 1840 Sought to become elector, was defeated.
- 1843 Ran for Congress, and lost.
- 1846 Ran for Congress again. This time he won, went to Washington and did a good job.
- 1848 Ran for re-election to Congress, and lost.
- 1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state, was rejected.
- 1854 Ran for Senate of the United States, and lost.
- 1856 Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention, and lost – got less than 100 votes.
- 1858 Ran for US Senate again, and lost.
- 1860 Was elected President of the United States.
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) served as the 16th President of the United States from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the United States through its Civil War – its bloodiest war and perhaps its greatest moral, constitutional and political crisis. In doing so, he preserved the Union, abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government and modernised the economy.
Pic courtesy: Wikimedia Commons