10 Things You May Not Know About Abraham Lincoln

Posted on January 14, 2025

Today he is known as one of America’s greatest presidents. But throughout his lifetime, Abraham Lincoln was known for a variety of traits and interests.

It turns out, our 16th president was a very interesting person!

10 Fun Facts About Abraham Lincoln

1. How tall was Abraham Lincoln? Abraham Lincoln was 6' 4", making him the tallest president in U.S. history and just barely beating Lyndon B. Johnson at 6’ 3 1/2”.

2. What was Abraham Lincoln's full name? It was Abraham Lincoln! He wasn’t given a middle name when he was born. He went through his life with only two names and reportedly preferred to be called Lincoln over Abraham.

3. Did Abraham Lincoln really keep goats when he was president? Our 16th president kept goats, amongst many other animals, at the White House. His sons, Tad and Willie, often played with the goats on the lawn and named them Nanny and Nanko. Nanny was known to sleep in Tad’s bed at night. Read more about the Lincolns’ love for their goats.

4. Did Abraham Lincoln participate in sports? He did! Lincoln is honored in the Wrestling Hall of Fame. Yep, you read that right—he was an accomplished wrestler as a young man, defeated only one time in approximately 300 matches!

5. How long did Abraham Lincoln live in Indiana? Abraham Lincoln's family lived in Indiana for 14 years, from 1816 - 1830. He spent his formative years here in Spencer County, Indiana, growing from childhood to manhood and going on to become known as one of the world’s most respected leaders. It was here that many of his character and moral traits were formed and nurtured.

6. Did Abraham Lincoln ever lose an election? He may be known as one of the world’s greatest leaders, but Lincoln lost five separate elections before being elected president! His ambition, however, was unchecked and he finally succeeded in 1861. He’s the epitome of the saying, “Never give up.”

7. Did John Wilkes Booth's brother really save the life of Lincoln's son? He did! If you’re unfamiliar with the history of Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth is the man responsible for the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. A few months before his assassination, the president’s oldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was accidentally pushed onto the tracks in front of a moving train by a throng of hurried passengers. The hand that reached out and pulled the president’s son to safety by his coat collar was actor Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes. What a small world!

8. Was Abraham Lincoln the first president to have a beard? Though not the last, Lincoln was the first president to sport a beard. He entered the office clean shaven, but it was reported that a letter from an 11-year-old girl, Grace Bedell of New York, changed his mind. Bedell wrote to Lincoln before the election:

"I have got four brothers and part of them will vote for you anyway and if you let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you. You would look a great deal better for 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."

9. What was Abraham Lincoln's education level? Despite having a successful law career, Lincoln did not receive a college or law degree. Historians estimate he had, collectively, approximately one year of formal schooling. But he constantly pursued information and education through his love of reading and books.

10. Was Abraham Lincoln a cat person? It sure seems like he was! In fact, Lincoln’s cat, Tabby, was known to eat at the White House dinner table.

Learn More About Lincoln

Interested in learning more about the history of Abraham Lincoln, the people that surrounded him, and the area that shaped him? Then planning a trip to explore the various sites and attractions throughout Lincoln’s Indiana Boyhood Home sounds right up your alley! Use our Trip Planner to make planning your trip easier than ever.