This collection holds
over 3000 monographs relating to Lincoln and
politics in America. These include first editions of
influential biographies like Herndon’s Life of
Lincoln, by Lincoln’s old law partner
Alexander Herndon, as well as copies of titles
Lincoln is believed to have read, including
everything from algebra and rhetoric textbooks to Uncle
Tom’s Cabin and Plutarch’s Lives of the
Noble Greeks and Romans. Discussions of other
nineteenth-century political figures, such as
Jefferson Davis and Henry Clay, are well
represented, as are contemporary tracts on the
dominant concerns of the day, like slavery,
Johnson’s impeachment, and corruption in the
government.
Risdon collection call numbers are unusual, because
they follow Risdon's own system. Call numbers are as
follows:
- 2/2 - Bibliography (1870-1978)
- 2/3 - Works by Lincoln (1860-1974)
- 2/4 - Monographs about Lincoln and the American
Civil War (1829-1967)
- 2/5 - Books Lincoln Read (1724-1887)
- 2/6 - Lincoln's Family (1827-1973)
- 2/7 - Slavery (1827-1964)
- 2/8 - Oversize (1893-1958)
- 2/9 - Lincoln Societies (1894-1945)
- 2/14 - Poems, Sermons, and other Lincoln
commemorations (1839-1963)
- 2/16 - Pamphlets about Lincoln (1839-1963)
- 2/17 - Pamphlets (1799-1877)
- 2/18 - Pamphlets (1878-1972)
- 2/19 - Oversize (1844-1963)
To use the call numbers to find monographs and
pamphlets in the collection, go to the Call
Number search page, select "Dewey or Other Call
Number" from the drop-down menu, and enter the call
number of interest.
