Who is this person?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Thanks for all your FANTASTIC guesses. I didn't expect someone would get this so fast - brilliant, tblunk, it is Henry Wikoff!

Here's some info on him: http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/insi...ubjectID=2

In fact, it was he who brought Fanny Elßler to America - I'm afraid this might become your dancing lesson of the day...(Roger, please feel free to delete if you think it's too off topic!)
   
Fanny (Franziska) Elßler (1810 - 1884) was an Austrian ballerina - one of the most talented and famous of the Romantic ballet period (= first half of the 19th century, when pointe work was established. The romantic tutu was still a calf-length, full skirt. The following classic ballets, like "Swan Lake" or "The Sleeping Beauty", of the the latter half of the 19th century, were designed to take classical technique — pointe work, high extensions, precision of movement and turn-out to new heights. Thus the classical tutu became much shorter and stiffer than the romantic tutu to reveal a ballerina’s legs and the difficulty of her footwork.)

In 1840, Fanny Elßler sailed with her sister for New York for a tour arranged by Henry Wikoff, but returned to Europe after two years unmixed success. While in NYC, Fanny dined with and was escorted by John Van Buren, son of the former president. This is the piece that made her famous:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r3A3cvF_DY4

tblunk, as for the prize, first I thought offering you "to dance with you the worst way", but instead you win a ticket for one of my favorite contemporary performances (saw it at least 10 times) - and I promise you will experience cartharsis in "The Lizard King" (the topless dancer is Jim Morrison's alter ego):
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-8gshF2TTYg

Finally, it does not harm to know why Louis XIV was the "Sun King". Why? Because he was one of the most notable ballet dancers and choreographers of his days! Louis XIV, born in 1639, King of France from 1643 to 1715, made his debut at age 13 in the "Ballet de Cassandre" in 1651. In 1653, he starred as Apollo, the sun god, in "The Ballet of the Night" (Le Ballet de la Nuit). His fancy golden costume and famous performance led to his nickname, the Sun King. Till he retired from dancing in 1870, he practiced daily.
   
(He also founded the world's first dancing institution, "Académie Royale de Danse", in 1661, "to restore the art of dancing to its original perfection and to improve it as much as possible".)

[L Verge]

Thanks for reminding me of Louis XIV's history of dance. I did not know about the ballet background until I visited Versailles many long years ago. Up to that time, I had just assumed the nickname related to his immense glitter and wealth that could outshine the sun.

[tblunk]

That was very much a guess. He looked sort of Chevalier-y. Now to watch some Lizardness.

[RJNorton]

Tom, kudos. That's a great prize from Eva.

I hope this will challenge everyone. Who is this man?

[Eva Elisabeth]

I can't help it - he resembles Thomas Lincoln (but sure wrong).

[RJNorton]

Good try, Eva, but it is not Thomas Lincoln.

Hint #1: This man was once charged with incompetence, and he was defended by none other than Abraham Lincoln.

[Gene C]

Looks to me like it could be a young Simon Cameron

[RJNorton]

Good try, Gene, but it's not Cameron.

[J. Beckert]

Mentor Graham?

[RJNorton]

Good try, Joe, but it's not Graham.

[Houmes]

(05-30-2014 04:21 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Tom, kudos. That's a great prize from Eva.

I hope this will challenge everyone. Who is this man?

Thomas C. Browne. Illinois is an interesting state--the supreme court justices are accused of being incompetent and the governors end up making license plates.

[RJNorton]

Excellent, Blaine. That is correct. At Abraham and Mary's wedding Judge Thomas C. Browne of the Illinois Supreme Court was standing behind the groom. Browne was a blunt man not accustomed to weddings. As Abraham was putting the wedding ring on Mary's hand and repeating the words, "With this ring I thee endow with all my goods, chattels, lands, and tenements," Browne impatiently blurted out, "God Almighty, Lincoln, the statute fixes all that." After a brief delay following Browne's interruption, the ceremony continued.

Blaine, as your prize, you will be sent a free Illinois license plate:

[PaigeBooth]

Who is this person?

[L Verge]

I don't know, but he's sure good-looking! JEB Stuart?

[PaigeBooth]

Dear Miss Laurie, from one Southern girl to another- I must say, a wonderful try! Now that you mention it, this fellow does look a great deal like Stuart. Unfortunately, it is not Stuart in the photo. But yes, I agree with you, he is a handsome man--I probably wouldn't turn him down if he invited me out for dinner!!