Looking for Lincoln Conversations
When Lincoln Almost Quit His 1858 Senate Race
Wednesday, October 5, 2022

 

[October 04, 2022] 

Did Abraham Lincoln almost quit politics in 1858?

Many historians agree that Lincoln’s loss to Stephen A. Douglas’s in 1858 propelled him to the U.S. presidency in 1860. That would not have happened if Lincoln had acted on an impulse during that U.S. Senate seat contest, and quit the race.

Reg Ankrom, a Quincy native who every day walks the same streets as Lincoln, will talk about Lincoln and the 1858 Lincoln Douglas Debate in his program, “When Lincoln Almost Quit his 1858 Senate Race.” The program will be presented online on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at 7 PM.

Mr. Ankrom's interest in Abraham Lincoln led him to Stephen A. Douglas, and is currently working on a final volume of a three-volume biography of Douglas. Numerous books, journals, magazines, and newspapers have published more than 100 of Reg’s works in historical literature. He speaks frequently on Douglas and Lincoln and antebellum American history.

Viewers can watch and participate in this free live program on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at 7 pm on the Looking for Lincoln YouTube and Facebook video channels. Questions can be submitted by viewers during the event. Reservations are not required, and there is no cost to view the program.

The program is recorded for viewing after the live premier, and is available on the Looking for Lincoln Facebook and YouTube video libraries.
 

“We are proud to host this series of Looking for Lincoln conversations,” says Sarah Watson, Executive Director of Looking for Lincoln. “These live, digital programs cover a range of topics that depict the life and times of Abraham Lincoln in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. Few individuals have so profoundly influenced American history as did Abraham Lincoln. Millions around the world are inspired by the story of Lincoln's rise from humble beginnings to President of the United States, his qualities of integrity and courage and his decisive leadership traits that carried a fragile nation through one of its most trying periods.”
 

These programs are free and broadcast live on Looking for Lincoln’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, and will end with a question and answer session with the virtual audience.

The Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition is the coordinating entity for the 43-county Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. It is a partnership of organizations and individuals dedicated to enhancing the communities and landscapes of central Illinois through recognition and support of their significant natural, cultural and historical legacies. Few individuals have so profoundly influenced American history as did Abraham Lincoln. Millions around the world are inspired by the story of Lincoln’s rise from humble beginnings to President of the United States, his qualities of integrity and courage and his decisive leadership – traits that carried a fragile nation through one of its most trying periods.

For more information about the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition and the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, go to www.lookingforlincoln.org.

[Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition]