Everybody’s Second Choice: The Story of how Abraham Lincoln Became President

Abraham Lincoln, November 1863 (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division)

On Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 1:00 PM the Milford Museum will continue its American History Series at the Milford Public Library with a program titled “Everybody’s Second Choice: The Story of how Abraham Lincoln Became President.” The presentation will focus on the election of Abraham Lincoln in November 1860. Lincoln’s election as President was the most consequential choice ever made by the American people, precipitating the bloodiest war in our nation’s history. Yet six months beforehand, few Americans had ever heard of him. In this program, local historian Lew Miller will discuss the sudden rise of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency.

How did this unknown former congressman pull off such a great upset? What events led southerners to the brink of secession? Lincoln was a brilliant politician but his rise to the presidency could not have happened without mistakes by his rivals for the Republican nomination, and circumstances beyond his control. The story of how he became president involves powerful personalities, a nation in crisis, and a few chance events.

Lew Miller worked in public education for 47 years. He taught United States and world history, then served as a district administrator, finishing as Caesar Rodney School District’s Director of Instruction. He has been a speaker at both state and national education conferences. He also co-founded a consulting business, Educationally Speaking, LLC. Today he helps with legal research for a law firm.

Sponsored by the Milford Museum, these monthly programs will focus on a variety of topics concerning local, state, and national history.  The presentations will be held on the second Saturday of each month, at 1:00 p.m., in the Milford Public Library, located at 11 S.E. Front Street in Milford, Delaware. For more information, please contact the Museum at (302) 424-1080, [email protected]. These programs are offered through a generous grant from The Delaware Heritage Commission.