Did an 11-Year-Old Girl Convince Lincoln to Grow a Beard?
On October 15, 1860, 11-year-old Grace Bedell wrote a letter to Republican presidential nominee Abraham Lincoln. She suggested he grow a beard – which he did shortly after!
During the 1860 election season, young Grace Bedell saw a picture of Abraham Lincoln and told her mother he’d look better with a beard and that she intended to tell him so. And in fact, she did. On October 15, she wrote a letter to Lincoln, telling him she wanted him to be president and that she would vote for him if she could. She also urged him to grow a beard. Grace told Lincoln he would be “much improved in appearance, provided you would cultivate whiskers.”
Young Grace further promised to convince her brothers to vote for Lincoln if he grew a beard. “You would look a great deal better as your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President,” she explained.
Lincoln was so amused by the letter that he wrote back to her four days later. “As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affectation if I were to begin now?” Despite Lincoln’s comment, that he thought it might be odd to change his appearance, he had a full beard by the time he caught the train for the capital for his inauguration.
Along the way to the capital, Lincoln stopped in Bedell’s hometown, told the crowd of her letter and asked to meet her. Two statues and a plaque were created in Westfield, NY in 1999 to honor their meeting.
Other reasons for Lincoln’s new fashion may include concerns about his youth. At age 51, Lincoln was the youngest person elected President at the time, and may also have added the beard to suggest maturity.
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Great story. I did not know about the statues.
One of many American trivia topics that few people are aware of. Nice article.
Your program adds so much to the stamps you highlight. It makes stamp collecting a history lesson as well as a great hobby.
i didnt know that either great story mystic
Very interesting piece of inside history. Who would have ever thought that a young person would have a strong influence on a future President. Also, to see that he took the time to meet her. Keep the historical tidbits coming. We learn something new every day.
A real stretch in importance compared to most — but a fun story. However, it omits telling us in which state Westfield is located.
New York – it’s in the western tip, on Lake Erie
Day in History provides a valuable short story brief of history, complimented by the stamps issued to reinforce the lesson. Great addition to the stamp collecting hobby for young and old….Thanks Mystic for your efforts to tell the story…..
Great story very interesting keep them coming.
Great stories, especially about things I never knew. Keep them coming.
Yes, I think tthat little girl,
really asked Abrraham Lincoln
to grow a beard!
I am loving the daily info!
Sometimes we put people on a lofty pedastill as unapproachable objects. It was nice to be reminded of the human side of all of us. ( Lincoln and the little girl)What a great recollection.
It is a great story about little known about our 16th president, thanks
Mystic: Thanks for the information in this wonderful story. I had no idea that this little girl wrote Lincoln, that he wrote her back and subsequently visited her, nor that a statue had been sculpted and placed in the town of Westfield, NY where all of this occurred. “This Day in History” is awesome and I am glad it is a daily email. I look forward to reading it everyday.
I enjoy reading these everyday. I share these stories with my family and friends.