President Abraham Lincoln | Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
President Abraham Lincoln | Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) recently announced that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum has acquired a historic legal tome that was used by President Lincoln when he served as a lawyer.
The book had been held by the Montana Historical Society since 1927. The book is the second volume of “A Treatise on the Law of Evidence” written by Simon Greenleaf. According to the society, letters from Lincoln indicated that Greenleaf’s reference work was among the most important for lawyers at the time to be knowledgeable and familiar with.
The society also reported that the volume includes signatures from Lincoln and law partner, William Herndon. The reference work is a three-volume set, the first and second volumes are now owned by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The first volume has been in the library’s possession for many years. The location and status of the third volume is unknown.
“It’s a pleasure to have these two volumes reunited here at the Lincoln Presidential Library, and we appreciate the Montana Historical Society’s generosity,” Nadine O’Leary, acting executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, said.
The library and museum operates under the IHPA.
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency is located at 313 South Sixth St., Springfield.