Many people know that February 12 is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, but many don’t know how much President Lincoln enjoyed poetry–both reading and writing it. A wonderful site to visit to learn more about the poetry he loved to read and some examples of poetry that he wrote can be found at The Library of Congress. 

President Lincoln wrote many of his speeches with poetic flourish. THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS is a wonderful example of his mastery of words and emotions. Click on the link above to view copies of the powerful speech. Follow this link to see a photograph of Lincoln at Gettysburg.

Many writers wrote poems about President Lincoln as well. Paul Laurence Dunbar, one of the first African-American poets to gain recognition in the United States, wrote a special poem about Lincoln. Dunbar compares Lincoln to Homer, from the famous Greek play–The Illiad and the Odyssey.

Why not try writing your own poem about President Lincoln. That would make a very special present for a very special President.