What if Lincoln kept a diary?

Biographer to speak Oct. 2 at presidential museum

[September 25, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- If Abraham Lincoln kept a diary, what would it say, and what new insights might it provide about our 16th president?

Ronald C. White Jr., the author of "A Lincoln: A Biography," a New York Times best-seller and Christopher Award honoree, will present "Abraham Lincoln's Diary" on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. in Union Theater at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield.

White will bring together six "fragments" taken from the "Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln" and a new collection of works edited by the Papers of Abraham Lincoln. These writings are all untitled, undated and unsigned, as Lincoln never expected anyone to see them. White will discuss these six fragments and what they reveal about the private Lincoln.

Prior to the presentation, there will be a book signing at 6:30 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public, but reservations should be made by calling 217-558-8934.

For educators, there will be a free "Teacher Talks" session with White at 5:30 p.m. in the classroom at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. Reservations for "Teacher Talks" may be made by calling 217-558-8953.

White also authored "Lincoln's Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural," a New York Times Notable Book; and "The Eloquent President: A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words," a Los Angeles Times best-seller. He is currently working on a biography of Ulysses S. Grant that will be published by Random House.

He is a Huntington Library Fellow, a visiting professor of history at UCLA and holds a Ph.D. in religion and history from Princeton University.

Visit www.presidentlincoln.org for more information about exhibits, events and programs at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

[Text from Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum file received from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]