Friday, July 27, 2007

Lincoln's "Failures" and Last with Great Succes?

Below is one version of the so-called "Lincoln failures" list, shown in bold type. It's often used to inspire people to overcome life's difficulties with Lincoln as a model.

YEAR

FAILURES or SETBACKS

SUCCESSES

1832

Lost job
Defeated for state legislature

Elected company captain of Illinois militia in Black Hawk War

1833

Failed in business

Appointed postmaster of New Salem, Illinois
Appointed deputy surveyor of Sangamon County

1834

Elected to Illinois state legislature

1835

Sweetheart died

1836

Had nervous breakdown

Re-elected to Illinois state legislature (running first in his district)
Received license to practice law in Illinois state courts

1837

Led Whig delegation in moving Illinois state capital from Vandalia to Springfield
Became law partner of John T. Stuart

1838

Defeated for Speaker

Nominated for Illinois House Speaker by Whig caucus
Re-elected to Illinois House (running first in his district)
Served as Whig floor leader

1839

Chosen presidential elector by first Whig convention
Admitted to practice law in U.S. Circuit Court

1840

Argues first case before Illinois Supreme Court
Re-elected to Illinois state legislature

1841

Established new law practice with Stephen T. Logan

1842

Admitted to practice law in U.S. District Court

1843

Defeated for nomination for Congress

1844

Established own law practice with William H. Herndon as junior partner

1846

Elected to Congress

1848

Lost renomination

(Chose not to run for Congress, abiding by rule of rotation among Whigs.)

1849

Rejected for land officer

Admitted to practice law in U.S. Supreme Court
Declined appointment as secretary and then as governor of Oregon Territory

1854

Defeated for U.S. Senate

Elected to Illinois state legislature (but declined seat to run for U.S. Senate)

1856

Defeated for nomination for Vice President

1858

Again defeated for U.S. Senate

1860

Elected President

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