Abraham Lincoln’s Graveyard Walks
Before becoming President, Abraham Lincoln frequently walked through cemeteries to clear his mind and reflect on mortality. Friends noted that he would even read tombstones aloud, using them to inspire speeches and legal arguments. He believed death gave life urgency—and poetic rhythm.
These habits continued during his presidency. At night, he often paced alone near the Soldiers’ Home cemetery in Washington, grappling with war casualties and decisions. While some viewed this as morbid, Lincoln saw it as spiritual grounding. The Great Emancipator found clarity not in war rooms, but among the dead.
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