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Mr. Lincoln Sits for His Portrait: The Story of a Photograph That Became an American Icon
Mr. Lincoln Sits for His Portrait is a unique middle-grade depiction of America’s sixteenth president, through the story of one famous photograph, written by award-winning author Leonard S. Marcus.
On February 9, 1864, Abraham Lincoln made the mile-long walk from the Executive Mansion to photographer Mathew Brady's Washington, DC, studio, to be joined there later by his ten-year-old son, Tad. With a fractious re-election campaign looming that year, America's first media-savvy president was intent on securing another portrait that cast him in a favorable light, as he prepared to make the case for himself to a nation weary of war.
At least four iconic pictures were made that day. One was Lincoln in profile, the image that later found its way onto the penny; two more would be adapted for the 1928 and 2008 five-dollar bills. The fourth was a dual portrait of Lincoln and Tad. The pose, featuring Lincoln reading to his son, was a last-minute improvisation, but the image that came of it was―and remains―incomparably tender and enduringly powerful.
Immediately after the president’s murder the following year, the picture of Lincoln reading to his son became a mass-produced icon―a cherished portrait of a nation’s fallen leader, a disarmingly intimate record of a care-worn father's feeling for his child, and a timeless comment on books as a binding force between generations.
On February 9, 1864, Abraham Lincoln made the mile-long walk from the Executive Mansion to photographer Mathew Brady's Washington, DC, studio, to be joined there later by his ten-year-old son, Tad. With a fractious re-election campaign looming that year, America's first media-savvy president was intent on securing another portrait that cast him in a favorable light, as he prepared to make the case for himself to a nation weary of war.
At least four iconic pictures were made that day. One was Lincoln in profile, the image that later found its way onto the penny; two more would be adapted for the 1928 and 2008 five-dollar bills. The fourth was a dual portrait of Lincoln and Tad. The pose, featuring Lincoln reading to his son, was a last-minute improvisation, but the image that came of it was―and remains―incomparably tender and enduringly powerful.
Immediately after the president’s murder the following year, the picture of Lincoln reading to his son became a mass-produced icon―a cherished portrait of a nation’s fallen leader, a disarmingly intimate record of a care-worn father's feeling for his child, and a timeless comment on books as a binding force between generations.
128 pages, Hardcover
Published January 3, 2023
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About the author
Leonard S. Marcus
72 books69 followersLeonard S. Marcus is one of the world's leading writers about children's books and their illustrations. His many books include The Wand in the Word: Conversations with Writers of Fantasy; Funny Business: Conversations with Writers of Comedy; Dear Genius; and others. His essays, interviews, and reviews appear in the New York Times Book Review, among other publications. Leonard S. Marcus lives in Brooklyn.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 22, 2023
So many interesting things I learned from this book! The author’s style of writing was easy to understand, but also such that adult readers like myself would enjoy this book. And the photographs throughout were fantastic!
This would be a great tool for classrooms!
This would be a great tool for classrooms!
November 5, 2023
A really interesting look into Lincoln's life through his photographs. I've read several Lincoln biographies but still learned several things from this. I found this to be accessible & interesting, perfect for middle grade readers & anyone who wants to learn more about one of our greatest Presidents.
February 3, 2023
3.5 stars- While incredibly interesting and enlightening, I think this book would be better suited for an adult as a quick read. I think it might appeal to a young reader but he/she would have to be highly interested in Abraham Lincoln to understand, comprehend, and enjoy.
May 11, 2023
Mr. Lincoln Sits for His Portrait is a remarkable introduction to Abraham Lincoln and his presidency. The brief presidential biography covers some of the highlights of his time in office but it is done in broad strokes. The focus here is on Lincoln’s time in front of the camera and how the six photos gleaned from a single session with Anthony Berger, an operator for Mathew Brady, became so iconic.
My only qualm with this book was that the author stated on page 70 (hardback edition) “As Tad’s father pretended to be reading to him, Tad pretended to listen, his gaze fixed on the massive book that viewers afterward assumed must be the Lincoln family Bible. In fact, it was a Brady studio sample catalogue.” but, despite an extensive bibliography and notes that were included in the book, the source for the fact that it was a catalogue and not a Bible was not cited. I, like many, have seen the photograph called “President A. Lincoln reading the Bible to his son” over and over and over. This was a new claim for me and so, the nerdy librarian flipped to the notes to find the source…and came up empty! I did a bit of research online (admittedly, I spent an hour on it—not nearly amount of time and research I’m sure the author did!) and could only find a reference, in the Library of Congress record about the photograph, of the edit: "‘The retouched scene changed the album into a family Bible.’ (Source: Ostendorf, p. 183-4) … Lincoln's photographs: a complete album / by Lloyd Ostendorf. Dayton, OH: Rockywood Press, 1998, p. 183.”
For this fan-of-Lincoln, this info about a treasured image was a bit jarring and the lack of source citation is driving me a bit insane. If I discover more regarding the source, I will come back and edit my review to include the info. But, the “star rating” will remain at four—because it is a source that should have been cited and it is driving me insane!
My only qualm with this book was that the author stated on page 70 (hardback edition) “As Tad’s father pretended to be reading to him, Tad pretended to listen, his gaze fixed on the massive book that viewers afterward assumed must be the Lincoln family Bible. In fact, it was a Brady studio sample catalogue.” but, despite an extensive bibliography and notes that were included in the book, the source for the fact that it was a catalogue and not a Bible was not cited. I, like many, have seen the photograph called “President A. Lincoln reading the Bible to his son” over and over and over. This was a new claim for me and so, the nerdy librarian flipped to the notes to find the source…and came up empty! I did a bit of research online (admittedly, I spent an hour on it—not nearly amount of time and research I’m sure the author did!) and could only find a reference, in the Library of Congress record about the photograph, of the edit: "‘The retouched scene changed the album into a family Bible.’ (Source: Ostendorf, p. 183-4) … Lincoln's photographs: a complete album / by Lloyd Ostendorf. Dayton, OH: Rockywood Press, 1998, p. 183.”
For this fan-of-Lincoln, this info about a treasured image was a bit jarring and the lack of source citation is driving me a bit insane. If I discover more regarding the source, I will come back and edit my review to include the info. But, the “star rating” will remain at four—because it is a source that should have been cited and it is driving me insane!
March 1, 2023
This is a really hard book for me to review. My excitement for this title when I first saw it in a publisher's catalog? About 150% My actual satisfaction with the book? Maybe like 91%?
That is to say, I wasn't disappointed, but there was so much more that could have been here! In my undergraduate art history days, History of Photography was one of my very favorite courses. I came into this book understanding and already believing in the author's thesis and excited to see it brought to young readers! But I think this book may be a little hard for young readers to grasp onto. It's a little dense, assumes a lot of background Lincoln knowledge (this isn't necessarily a detractor, most Americans have a lot of background Lincoln knowledge) and has a layout that even I - a full college-educated adult - found annoying and hard to read. Does anyone else hate when books have three words of a sentence on the bottom of a page and then a whole block of aside text and then you have to flip the page and remember the sentence that came before? I HATE THAT and I think that it makes books feel unnecessarily textbooky. I know this is not a fault of the book, but like, it really got my goat.
BUT. I still think this is an interesting approach to the story of Lincoln and I love whole-heartedly that the History of Photography is getting its day in the sun. Between this, Russell Freedman's photobiography of Abraham Lincoln and Elizabeth Partridge and Lauren Tamara's 'Seen and Unseen', and young readers are well on their way to learning what makes photography such an exciting medium.
One last gripe about a book I really did like quite a lot - it feels so weird to tell a story of important photographs in Lincoln's life and not include the cracked plate portrait. That's all. It's fine, just felt weird because I care too much about photo history. I still wholeheartedly recommend this book.
That is to say, I wasn't disappointed, but there was so much more that could have been here! In my undergraduate art history days, History of Photography was one of my very favorite courses. I came into this book understanding and already believing in the author's thesis and excited to see it brought to young readers! But I think this book may be a little hard for young readers to grasp onto. It's a little dense, assumes a lot of background Lincoln knowledge (this isn't necessarily a detractor, most Americans have a lot of background Lincoln knowledge) and has a layout that even I - a full college-educated adult - found annoying and hard to read. Does anyone else hate when books have three words of a sentence on the bottom of a page and then a whole block of aside text and then you have to flip the page and remember the sentence that came before? I HATE THAT and I think that it makes books feel unnecessarily textbooky. I know this is not a fault of the book, but like, it really got my goat.
BUT. I still think this is an interesting approach to the story of Lincoln and I love whole-heartedly that the History of Photography is getting its day in the sun. Between this, Russell Freedman's photobiography of Abraham Lincoln and Elizabeth Partridge and Lauren Tamara's 'Seen and Unseen', and young readers are well on their way to learning what makes photography such an exciting medium.
One last gripe about a book I really did like quite a lot - it feels so weird to tell a story of important photographs in Lincoln's life and not include the cracked plate portrait. That's all. It's fine, just felt weird because I care too much about photo history. I still wholeheartedly recommend this book.
January 4, 2023
Leonard Marcus, in his nonfiction account for middle graders, Mr. Lincoln Sits for His Portrait, looks at a different side of Abraham Lincoln. In this book, an account is given of how Lincoln used photography in his runs for office and in creating the image he wanted after he was elected. He was conscious of the power of a picture to influence voters and constituents. Anecdotes about his outreach include the famous one of the little girl who suggested that he would look better with a beard with the added before and after photographs so the reader can make a decision. The writer also documents the family illnesses and deaths with photographs and paintings that have been altered to include those who are missing.
Ultimately, the author’s focus will lead to the iconic picture Lincoln had taken showing him reading to his ten-year-old son Tad. One image taken that day would be reproduced on the penny and on old and new five-dollar bills. The last-minute picture with Tad became a cherished photograph of Lincoln after his murder and remains popular today. The idea of Lincoln reading the Bible to his young son appealed to the people of the United States.
As he always does, Leonard Marcus researched his subject and documented his sources well. He uses timelines throughout to keep the reader abreast of the historical period when each photograph was taken. The book will fascinate any middle grader who has an interest in biography and history and any adult who would like to follow the photographs and the story of Lincoln’s use of them to enhance his political path.
Ultimately, the author’s focus will lead to the iconic picture Lincoln had taken showing him reading to his ten-year-old son Tad. One image taken that day would be reproduced on the penny and on old and new five-dollar bills. The last-minute picture with Tad became a cherished photograph of Lincoln after his murder and remains popular today. The idea of Lincoln reading the Bible to his young son appealed to the people of the United States.
As he always does, Leonard Marcus researched his subject and documented his sources well. He uses timelines throughout to keep the reader abreast of the historical period when each photograph was taken. The book will fascinate any middle grader who has an interest in biography and history and any adult who would like to follow the photographs and the story of Lincoln’s use of them to enhance his political path.
January 17, 2023
I never thought about technology playing a part in Lincoln's public image and how he promoted this. Mr. Marcous makes the case that the photograph of Lincoln with his young son made a positive impact on people who then voted for him.
It was very interesting to learn more about the photograph, especially the book Lincoln and his son are examining. The other photographs in the book are also interesting.
It was very interesting to learn more about the photograph, especially the book Lincoln and his son are examining. The other photographs in the book are also interesting.
November 6, 2023
The focus on the intertwined history of photography and President Lincoln is fascinating. However, the book ended on curiously bitter and depressing note with Robert Todd Lincoln's assessment of his father as lacking in his parenting. Not having been part of the family, I can only assume that it was a fair statement, but it seems that the book could have ended more appropriately with a history of photography since the subtitle is "The Story of a Photograph That Became an American Icon."
February 25, 2025
rating: g - no profanity, sex, violence
recommend: history curious, especially in the niche of photography and Lincoln
This was a fun little book, covering a LOT of topics in an engaging way. Lots of pictures for engagement.
recommend: history curious, especially in the niche of photography and Lincoln
This was a fun little book, covering a LOT of topics in an engaging way. Lots of pictures for engagement.
May 12, 2023
I have always enjoyed reading about our past presidents. This was a very informative book and would be good for young readers.
December 23, 2023
3.5 Disjointed, but has some interesting pieces.
October 25, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In the same way that John F. Kennedy was the first president to harness the power of television to further his political aims (brilliantly depicted in Sandler's 2011 Kennedy Through the Lens), Lincoln was the first politician to fully utilize the power of the relatively new medium of still photography. At a time when most people would have one or two images of themselves, Lincoln had hundreds done, by prominent artists of the time, like Matthew Brady, Anthony Berger, and Francis Bicknell Carpenter.
Marcus introduces us to Lincoln's career, humor, and self deprecating views of his own attractiveness, or lack thereof, and uses this information to scaffold Lincoln's rise to power. Since there are innumerable treatments of Lincoln, this is a new and innovative way to deliver this information. Of course, the inclusion of photographs not only of Lincoln but of his world make this worth purchasing.
Interspersed between discussions of what was going on in Lincoln's life, the evolution of photography, and the state of the world in general are helpful timelines that recap things nicely. I found the overview of photgraphic history particulary interesting; it almost makes me want to find a book about the history of photography as it relates to how people curate their own history. If you have enough family photos going back into the late 1890s, you can pretty much tell exactly when a member of your family first obtained a camera and didn't have to rely on a local photographer!
There are many aspects of Lincoln's life covered, from political to family, and the struggles of Mary Lincoln are briefly mentioned. There is a lot of coverage of the cover portrait, which was hugely influential at the time, and reproduced in myriad ways after Lincoln's death to engender pathos and to paint him as a pious family man. I must say that I wouldn't have identified this particular picture as the most pivotal, but Marcus does a good job of making this point. I love that it is often passed off as a Bible or religious text when in fact the actual book was a photographer's catalog.
Marcus is an excellent scholar of children's literature; in an ideal world, I would have been able to have a similar career, so I am rather jealous of his work! His Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children's Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became An American Icon Along the Way (2007) is nothing short of genius. It's interesting to see him change gears, and he clearly has some affection for his topic. This is a great title to have for National History Day research or for an updated look at Lincoln's life.
In the same way that John F. Kennedy was the first president to harness the power of television to further his political aims (brilliantly depicted in Sandler's 2011 Kennedy Through the Lens), Lincoln was the first politician to fully utilize the power of the relatively new medium of still photography. At a time when most people would have one or two images of themselves, Lincoln had hundreds done, by prominent artists of the time, like Matthew Brady, Anthony Berger, and Francis Bicknell Carpenter.
Marcus introduces us to Lincoln's career, humor, and self deprecating views of his own attractiveness, or lack thereof, and uses this information to scaffold Lincoln's rise to power. Since there are innumerable treatments of Lincoln, this is a new and innovative way to deliver this information. Of course, the inclusion of photographs not only of Lincoln but of his world make this worth purchasing.
Interspersed between discussions of what was going on in Lincoln's life, the evolution of photography, and the state of the world in general are helpful timelines that recap things nicely. I found the overview of photgraphic history particulary interesting; it almost makes me want to find a book about the history of photography as it relates to how people curate their own history. If you have enough family photos going back into the late 1890s, you can pretty much tell exactly when a member of your family first obtained a camera and didn't have to rely on a local photographer!
There are many aspects of Lincoln's life covered, from political to family, and the struggles of Mary Lincoln are briefly mentioned. There is a lot of coverage of the cover portrait, which was hugely influential at the time, and reproduced in myriad ways after Lincoln's death to engender pathos and to paint him as a pious family man. I must say that I wouldn't have identified this particular picture as the most pivotal, but Marcus does a good job of making this point. I love that it is often passed off as a Bible or religious text when in fact the actual book was a photographer's catalog.
Marcus is an excellent scholar of children's literature; in an ideal world, I would have been able to have a similar career, so I am rather jealous of his work! His Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children's Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became An American Icon Along the Way (2007) is nothing short of genius. It's interesting to see him change gears, and he clearly has some affection for his topic. This is a great title to have for National History Day research or for an updated look at Lincoln's life.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews