Trivia question

[RJNorton]

I believe I have read of only one person who measured Abraham Lincoln's height. Lincoln measured six feet three and three-quarter inches in his stocking feet. Who was the person who measured Lincoln?

[Anita]

Francis Carpenter. He describes measuring Lincoln on page 217 of my 1867 edition of Six Months at the White House.

[RJNorton]

Correct, Anita! Good job.

[David Lockmiller]

(11-10-2025 07:19 PM)Anita Wrote:  Francis Carpenter. He describes measuring Lincoln on page 217 of my 1867 edition of Six Months at the White House.

The paragraph describing measuring Lincoln was also on page 217 of my 1879 edition of Six Months at the White House.

The description of the measurement was prefaced by a memorable paragraph:

All familiar with him will remember the weary air which became habitual during his last years, This was more of the mind than the body, and no rest and recreation which he allowed himself could relieve it. As he sometimes expressed it, the remedy "seemed never to reach the tired spot."

Mr. Lincoln's height was six feet three and three-quarter inches "in his stocking-feet." He stood up, one day, at the right of my large canvas, while I marked his exact height upon it.

[AussieMick]

I hesitate to write this because I don’t remember the circumstances. I suggest Lincoln measured himself.
I recall he met someone , perhaps an officer, that was slightly taller than himself ..... and he insisted on being compared.
Anybody remember this ?

[jbarry]

(Yesterday 01:57 PM)AussieMick Wrote:  I hesitate to write this because I don’t remember the circumstances. I suggest Lincoln measured himself.
I recall he met someone , perhaps an officer, that was slightly taller than himself ..... and he insisted on being compared.
Anybody remember this ?

You're correct about this. Lloyd Ostendorf did an illustration for the Lincoln Herald. I can't find which issue, but the drawing is shown on this page: http://www.abelincoln.com/ostendorf_posi...sc-10.html

[AussieMick]

Thanks, Joe ... you've a better memory than I have. I had a feeling Roger had written a post about Lincoln comparing heights.

[David Lockmiller]

(Yesterday 10:45 AM)David Lockmiller Wrote:  Mr. Lincoln's height was six feet three and three-quarter inches "in his stocking-feet." He stood up, one day, at the right of my large canvas, while I marked his exact height upon it.

The mark on the canvas should still be there.