Description
Eckley chronicles Swett’s early life and the part he played in Lincoln’s political campaigns, including his role as an crucial member of the team in the back of Lincoln’s two nominations and elections for the presidency. Swett counseled Lincoln throughout the formation of his cabinet and served as an unofficial advisor and sounding board throughout Lincoln’s time in place of work. During his life, Swett wrote a great deal on Lincoln, and planned to write a biography about him, but Swett’s death preempted the project. His eloquent and interesting writings about Lincoln are described and reproduced in this volume, some for the first time.
With Lincoln’s Forgotten Friend, Eckley gets rid of Swett from the shadows of history and sheds new light on Lincoln’s personal relationships and their valuable contributions to his career.
Superior Achievement from the Illinois State Historical Society, 2013