 | Lincoln and the Bluegrass Subjects: Lincoln Abraham 1809–1865 -- Views on slavery; Slavery -- Kentucky -- History -- 19th century; Kentucky -- History -- Civil War 1861–1865; The Bluegrass region of Kentucky was the only part of the slaveholding South Abraham Lincoln knew intimately. How the cultural environment of Lexington, the home of Lincoln's wife, with its pleasure-loving aristocracy, its distinguished political leaders, and its slave auctions shaped his opinions on slavery and secession is traced in these pages. In this city, early known as the "Athens of the West," Lincoln's alliance with the Todd family widened his circle of acquaintances to include such diverse personalities as the fiery Cassius M. Clay, who urged immediate emancipation; Dr. Robert J. Breckinridge, courageous Presbyterian minister, and the doctor's nephew, John C. Breckinridge, who took up arms against Lincoln after his election to the presidency. William H. Townsend early began to collect Civil War materials. Today he owns one of the largest private collections of Lincolniana in the United States, and has written four other books on Lincoln. |
