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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois state historians confirmed Tuesday that a book about race contains Abraham Lincoln’s handwriting. The 700-page book, ‘Types of Mankind’, offers the theory that different races were formed at different times and places and as a result can’t be equals.
According to NBC Chicago, Lincoln wrote attorney Clifton Moore’s name on one of the front pages. Moore was the owner of the book and Lincoln probably borrowed it and wanted to make sure it was returned to Moore. Although the book is justifying racism, Illinois state historians are making sure people understand that Lincoln didn’t agree with the racial theories, but likely read the book to better understand opposing viewpoints.
“Lincoln had long been upset by national legal codes that treated blacks and whites so differently,” James Cornelius, curator of the Library’s Lincoln Collection said in a release, according to Fox News, “Everything we know about Lincoln’s legal, religious, and scientific thinking tells us he rejected that argument.”
The authenticity of the handwriting in the book remained a mystery for years until a new library director decided to have state historians look at it.
According to the Associated Press, Cornelius said, "There are certain letters of the alphabet that Lincoln wrote in a way that were not common to his era, a forger can typically do some of the letters in a good Lincolnian way. They'll give themselves away on a couple of the others. This all adds up."
The book was originally published in 1854 and was popular among slave owners. It is unclear of the exact time Lincoln read the book. However, NBC Chicago reports that the president could have used it in 1858 while preparing for debates against Steven Douglas or in 1860 while on the presidential campaign trail.
According to the Associated Press, Warner Public Library Assistant Director Bobbi Perryman said the library is keeping the book in a safe deposit box and plans to restore "Types of Mankind" and put it on display.
Lindsey Peterson is a Brigham Young University student studying broadcast journalism. Contact her at lindspeterson4@gmail.com or on Twitter @LindsPetey.
