20 Bizarre Facts About Abraham Lincoln You Never Knew

Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as one of the greatest presidents in American history, but there's a lot more to the man than his legendary leadership and eloquence. In fact, there are many strange and surprising facts about Lincoln that are not widely known, from his bizarre hobbies and quirks to his unlikely brushes with death. Here are 20 bizarre facts about Abraham Lincoln that will give you a whole new perspective on the man behind the myth:

Lincoln was a wrestling champion

It may come as a surprise to many, but Abraham Lincoln was an accomplished wrestler in his youth. In fact, he reportedly won nearly all of the 300 matches he competed in, with his only known defeat coming at the hands of a professional wrestler.

Lincoln's mother died when he was young, and he never got over it

Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, died when he was just nine years old, and he later said that he never got over her death. He described her as his "angel mother" and was known to become emotional whenever he spoke about her.

Lincoln dreamed of his own assassination

Just days before his assassination, Lincoln reportedly had a dream in which he saw his own body lying in state in the White House. He told his wife about the dream, saying, "I don't know what it means." Tragically, just a few days later, he was assassinated at Ford's Theatre.

Lincoln suffered from Marfan syndrome

Lincoln was a tall, thin man with unusually long limbs and fingers, which is a common characteristic of Marfan syndrome. While the condition was not well-known during Lincoln's time, many modern experts believe that he had the disorder.

Lincoln was challenged to a duel

In 1842, Lincoln was challenged to a duel by a political opponent named James Shields. Rather than accepting the challenge, Lincoln negotiated a settlement and managed to avoid the physical confrontation altogether.

Lincoln was a licensed bartender

Believe it or not, Lincoln was a licensed bartender at one point in his life. He reportedly worked at his family's tavern in New Salem, Illinois, and was known to enjoy a drink on occasion.

Lincoln was an inventor

In addition to his political and legal careers, Lincoln was also an inventor. He was awarded a patent in 1849 for a device that could lift boats over shallow water, and he is the only U.S. president to have held a patent.

Lincoln's wife held séances in the White House

Mary Todd Lincoln, Abraham's wife, was believed to have been a practicing medium who held séances in the White House. She reportedly became interested in spiritualism after the couple's son, Willie, died in 1862.

Lincoln had a playful sense of humor

Despite his serious and somber demeanor, Lincoln had a playful sense of humor and was known to enjoy telling bawdy jokes and humorous stories. He once said, "If I couldn't tell these stories, I would die."

Lincoln was kicked in the head by a horse

When he was a young man, Lincoln was kicked in the head by a horse, which left a noticeable scar on his forehead. He was lucky to have survived the incident, as head injuries were often fatal in those days.

Lincoln loved animals

Lincoln was an avid animal lover and reportedly allowed his pet goats to roam the White House. He was also known to be fond of cats and dogs , and he once said, "I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it."

Lincoln loved gadgets

Lincoln was known to be fascinated by new technologies and gadgets. He reportedly installed a telegraph machine in the White House in 1861, making him one of the first people in the world to have access to real-time information.

Lincoln once shared a bed with a friend

During a trip to the Midwest in 1837, Lincoln and his friend Joshua Speed were stranded in the wilderness and were forced to share a bed for warmth. While some have speculated that the two men may have been romantically involved, there is no evidence to support this claim.

Lincoln hid papers in his stovepipe hat

According to legend, Lincoln had a habit of hiding important papers inside his stovepipe hat. While it's unclear if this is true or not, it's certainly a testament to Lincoln's resourcefulness and ingenuity.

Robert Todd Lincoln witnessed three presidential assassinations

Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham's oldest son, was present at the assassinations of three U.S. presidents: his father, James A. Garfield, and William McKinley. He was not injured in any of the incidents, but the experience left him understandably shaken.

Lincoln was a skilled axman

As a young man, Lincoln worked as a rail-splitter and was known to be a skilled axman. Legend has it that he once split a log in half with a single blow, although this may be an exaggeration.

Lincoln was interested in spiritualism

While he was not a practicing medium like his wife, Lincoln was reportedly interested in spiritualism and attended several séances during his time in the White House. He was said to be fascinated by the idea of communicating with the dead.

Mary Todd Lincoln was institutionalized

After her husband's assassination, Mary Todd Lincoln's mental health began to deteriorate. She was eventually committed to an asylum in Batavia, Illinois, where she remained for several months.

Lincoln suffered from chronic constipation

Lincoln was known to suffer from chronic constipation and reportedly kept a bottle of laxative pills in his pocket at all times. He was said to be embarrassed by his condition and rarely spoke about it.

Lincoln walked the streets at night

Finally, it's worth noting that Lincoln was known to suffer from insomnia and would often walk the streets of Washington D.C. at night to clear his head. He reportedly found solace in the quiet and solitude of the city at night, and it was during one of these walks that he first saw the building that would later become the site of Ford's Theatre.

In conclusion, these 20 bizarre facts about Abraham Lincoln paint a fascinating portrait of a man who was much more than a great president. From his love of wrestling and his strange dreams to his unlikely hobbies and quirks, Lincoln was a complex and multifaceted individual whose legacy continues to captivate us to this day.