William H. Herndon Quotes
Now let it be written in history and on Mr. Lincoln's tombstone: 'He died an unbeliever.’
Historians have different as to the extent of Lincoln’s religiosity. He was a deist but did not involve himself as a parishioner in any organized church. There are those who believe that once into the Presidency, in order to garner support he concealed his true feelings about organized religion. See {586289} for example. Others take him literally at his word in his more religious statements.
William H. Herndon, 1818-1891, Abraham Lincoln's law partner in Springfield and personal friend, Statement upon his friend’s death, Quoted in Abraham Lincoln: The True Story of a Great Life, 1896
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Lincoln was a deist but he was never a favorite of the official clergy of any of the religions. When he ran for President in 1860, 20 of the 23 clergymen of his home town, Springfield, IL, opposed him. As he assumed office he was much more prudent in his religious remarks and in the view of some historians political realities and pragmatics caused him to be more circumspect. His oldest friend and law partner believed him to be an unbeliever. See {586285}.
Einstein’s religious views were very sophisticated and unusual. He was a deist—a believer in God. He was of Jewish background and like some Protestant sects, Jews can interpret scripture and the nature of God as individuals. They need not follow a particular doctrine. However Einstein had a very complex vision of God—as he described it, the “God of Spinoza”—a 17th century Rabbi and Philosopher whose views were so radical that his books were banned and he was excommunicated by the Rabbis of Holland, a rarity in Judaism. This view of God is not the human-related form but a view of God as an abstraction everpresent and a prime mover inherent in nature, the world and in humanity.
- Born: December 25, 1818
- Died: March 18, 1891
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Lawyer, Biographer
William Henry Herndon was a law partner and biographer of President Abraham Lincoln. He was an early member of the new Republican Party and was elected mayor of Springfield, Illinois.
