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Lincoln's "Failures"?
Below is one version of the so-called "Lincoln failures" list, shown in bold type. It's often used to inspire people to overcome life's difficulties with Lincoln as a model. Then look at the right column with other facts from Lincoln's pre-presidential life. History professor Lucas Morel compiled this comparison from the Chronology in Selected Speeches and Writings/Lincoln by Don E. Fehrenbacher, ed., 1992.
YEAR FAILURES or SETBACKS SUCCESSES 1832 Lost job
Defeated for state legislatureElected company captain of Illinois militia in Black Hawk War 1833 Failed in business Appointed postmaster of New Salem, Illinois
Appointed deputy surveyor of Sangamon County1834 Elected to Illinois state legislature 1835 Sweetheart died 1836 Had nervous breakdown Re-elected to Illinois state legislature (running first in his district)
Received license to practice law in Illinois state courts1837 Led Whig delegation in moving Illinois state capital from Vandalia to Springfield
Became law partner of John T. Stuart1838 Defeated for Speaker Nominated for Illinois House Speaker by Whig caucus
Re-elected to Illinois House (running first in his district)
Served as Whig floor leader1839 Chosen presidential elector by first Whig convention
Admitted to practice law in U.S. Circuit Court1840 Argues first case before Illinois Supreme Court
Re-elected to Illinois state legislature1841 Established new law practice with Stephen T. Logan 1842 Admitted to practice law in U.S. District Court 1843 Defeated for nomination for Congress 1844 Established own law practice with William H. Herndon as junior partner 1846 Elected to Congress 1848 Lost renomination (Chose not to run for Congress, abiding by rule of rotation among Whigs.) 1849 Rejected for land officer Admitted to practice law in U.S. Supreme Court
Declined appointment as secretary and then as governor of Oregon Territory1854 Defeated for U.S. Senate Elected to Illinois state legislature (but declined seat to run for U.S. Senate) 1856 Defeated for nomination for Vice President 1858 Again defeated for U.S. Senate 1860 Elected President
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