"Herndon was born mediocre"

[Mike B.]

(11-24-2012 06:50 AM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  Herndon was a little rough around the edges. I think he was probably a somewhat typical middle class frontiersman. His legacy is that he did shoot from the hip. I think I remember that as far as a researcher and legal mind, he was top notch and that is why the Lincoln Herndon relationship endured. Herndon would prepare a case and Lincoln would argue it.

With the wealth of writings about all of AL superior skills, intelligence, compassion, etc, Herndon allows us a balance, warts, moles, and all.

Good points Mr. Garrett.
I think Herndon wanted warts and all in some sense because I think he felt that is what Lincoln would have wanted. Lincoln used to joke that they could write biographies for dead statesmen telling how perfect they were and leave the name blank. Then when a politician died they could just insert the name.

It is also important to note, many of Herndon's contemporary critics didn't think he was lying. They just thought he was being indelicate.
David Davis for example thought Herndon should cool it with some of his lectures not because they were false but because they might hurt people or Lincoln's reputation.