Thomas Lincoln, the father of former United States President Abraham Lincoln, was born in Virginia in 1778 He was the eldest of the three children of Abraham Lincoln, Sr., a farmer, and Betsy Hanks. Thomas moved with his family to Kentucky when he was about three and lived there for the next 24 years. After his father died in 1851, Thomas moved to Illinois and settled near Decatur.
Thomas Lincoln was a skilled carpenter by trade, and he became a successful businessman, owning a farm, a general store and several mills. He was active in the Methodist Church and taught school. Thomas married Sarah Bush Johnston in 1806, who then adopted his children from a previous marriage. Sarah was an educated, strong-willed woman and had a great influence on Thomas and especially on his son, Abraham.
Thomas Lincoln has been an intriguing figure, as he was largely overshadowed by his son's monumental achievements. There has also been much speculation and controversy about his relationship with his son, with some historians claiming that Thomas and Abraham were distant and competitive, while others argue that they were more warm and loving.
Below are five interesting essay topic ideas related to Thomas Lincoln:
1. An examination of the role of Thomas Lincoln in Abraham Lincoln’s upbringing and political career.
2. An exploration of the father-son relationship between Thomas and Abraham Lincoln.
3. An analysis of the influence of Thomas Lincoln on Abraham Lincoln's speeches and writings.
4. An exploration of the impact of Thomas Lincoln's life and career on the development of the United States.
5. An exploration of Thomas Lincoln's legacy and his impact on American society.