Lincoln's Melancholy

[RJNorton]

(10-06-2016 09:52 PM)Gene C Wrote:  Lincoln's "melancholy" seemed to be ongoing (throughout his life), but how much did it affect his ability to function?

Your thoughts?

Gene, IMO his periods of depression have been over-magnified. It is true that in 1835 when Ann Rutledge died, and after January 1, 1841, when he broke up with Mary Todd, Lincoln entered periods of deep melancholy/depression. In 1841 he missed time in the state legislature. He sought advice when he apparently wrote Dr. Charles Drake in Cincinnati, described his depression, but received the reply that the doctor could not prescribe any treatment without a personal interview with Lincoln.

Other than 1835 and 1841 were there other periods in Lincoln's life where his tendency toward melancholy REALLY effected his life? Offhand, I cannot think of any. Twenty Days says that Lincoln stopped seeing people on Thursdays after Willie died (on a Thursday), but the schedule change didn't last long.