Who wrote this?

[David Lockmiller]

Based on Hint # 1 the person is Voltaire?

Not Voltaire.

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IMPRESSIONS OF LINCOLN AND THE CIVIL WAR - A FOREIGNER'S ACCOUNT
By the Marquis Adolphe de Chambrun

Translated From the French By
General Aldebert de Chambrun

Random House, New York
First Printing
Copyright, 1952

The following is how a portion of Lincoln history and an astute character observation regarding Lincoln was almost lost. General Aldebert de Chambrun, the author's son wrote in the Preface to the book:

"It was not until my sister Therese died in Algiers only two years ago, after instituting me her Executor, I found among a heap of old magazines, maps and newspapers, a large dilapidated book. On opening it, my attention was at once arrested by these startling lines set down in my mother's familiar handwriting: ADOLPHE'S LETTERS TO ME FROM December 20, 1864 to June 13, 1865

Laying aside other occupations, I plunged into this record of far-off days, fascinated by the penetrating character study of President Lincoln, whose rare personality my father seems to have divined at their first meeting.