Lincoln and Syphilis

[Rob Wick]

I certainly can understand the inclination to not accept that Lincoln utilized the services of a prostitute at least once in his lifetime and maybe even twice or more. To accept this would be to accept that Lincoln was human (not that I'm suggesting that Roger, Mike or Gene believe otherwise, but to accept this would certainly knock Lincoln down a step or two in the respect that many people have for him). But to me, it simply shows that Lincoln had normal human needs and feelings. For a man who was shy around women he could be attracted to, visiting a prostitute took the pressure off of him as no feelings were exposed.

Quote:Yes, he was married at that time, but for men whose lifestyle includes visiting prostitutes, this is often no barrier. IMO, Lincoln's lifestyle did not include visits to prostitutes even if it was a common practice on the frontier.

Roger, I don't think I would describe this as a "lifestyle" for Lincoln. Once he had a consistent outlet for his sexual feelings he no longer needed their services. As I said before, I think if Lincoln did this it was likely during the New Salem years and probably stopped when he hit Springfield. Your point about the New Salem townspeople trying to save Lincoln from himself is well-taken, but there's a difference between sexual activity and religious infidelity. Most everyone understands that humans are sexual beings and will use whatever methods are necessary to relieve those needs, and Lincoln was a healthy young single man, so I can't imagine that anyone in New Salem would give it a second thought. Religious infidelity, however, is another story.

Another point on those years. I don't imagine anyone would question that members of the Clary's Grove Boys would have visited prostitutes. After the Lincoln-Armstrong wrestling match, Lincoln gained their respect. I wonder if they would have seen Lincoln as "one of them" if he refused to utilize the lady's services? This is a point I obviously have no evidence to sustain, and in reality I'm forming it as I type. There may be absolutely nothing to it, so take it for what you think it's worth.

Quote: As I say, it wouldnt be the first time that a man has told another man about sexual exploits which didnt happen. ("C'mon, Abraham ... I bet yer had some good times out on circuit? " Nudge, nudge. "Yer dont drink ... dont smoke ... dont even cuss much ... must have some faults ... Yer a strange sort of a man ... C'mon ... Pay a few visits to friendly ladies ? Eh? Eh?" "Yeah well ... a man does have needs . I guess.")

But if that's the case, why a prostitute? Lincoln could have easily lied about Ann Rutledge, or anyone else given that Herndon didn't know Lincoln during his New Salem days. Lying about sexual activity wouldn't be an outlandish claim, but to do it in the guise of something that I freely admit would be anathema to a number of people doesn't seem likely to me.

Quote:I was wondering, fact or fiction, why would Herndon even mention it at all?

That's a very good question, Gene. I honestly think it was part of Herndon's belief that people trying to turn Lincoln into a secular saint were doing more to hide and obscure the man that Herndon both loved and respected. And your question goes to another point I have. When C.A. Tripp came out with his book alleging that Lincoln had homosexual tendencies, it was pretty easy to discount on several fronts, but one was that no one ever said anything like that before, either contemporaries or biographers either favorable toward Lincoln or unfavorable like Edgar Lee Masters. There is evidence, however, that at least once Lincoln visited a prostitute. That it comes from Herndon is not enough, in my mind, to discount it. I guess it boils down to whether or not you believe Herndon. I do.

My thoughts are muddled right now, so I'm going to bed. Hope all this makes some sort of sense.

Best
Rob