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We all know how Abraham Lincoln died in 1865, but what about the way he lived during the final years of his life? Just maybe the 16th president suffered from a rare genetic disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B.
Dr. John Sotos–author of ‘The Physical Lincoln‘ and a consultant on the TV series ‘House‘–would like to run DNA analysis of the president’s blood. He believes Lincoln was already dying, before the assassination, from cancer.
Why such speculation? According to Sotos, Lincoln expressed the classic profile for this rare genetic syndrome which includes long limbs, bumps on the lips, and constipation. During the final year of his presidency, we also know that Lincoln lost a lot of weight and complained of being tired constantly. Sotos suggests that if the president had the disorder, “cancer would inevitably exist” given his age. Further, the three of his sons who died young also had bumpy lips, while Robert–who lived to 82–did not. Over at CNN.com:
“He probably knew something was horribly wrong. If Lincoln was dying, certainly he recognized it because he was a smart and observant man … but [because of the military implications] he would not have told a soul.”
Interesting theory, but unfortunately, it that won’t be tested anytime soon. Just this week, the board of the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library denied Sotos’ request for a 3/8″ x 5″ inch fragment of blood-stained threads from the pillow on Lincoln’s deathbed for fear it would damage the historic relic. Hence, we have to wait on conclusive evidence.
Yet it raise some intriguing questions. Sotos points out Lincoln’s attitude toward the South was quite forgiving. If the president was indeed suffering from cancer and knew he didn’t have much time, might that have influenced how he conducted his presidency during the war? What do readers make of the possibility?
May 6th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Interesting indeed. Reminds me of the story about Napoleon’s supposed death from arsenic poisoning which has come under suspicion recently.
May 6th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
From a Civil War mail list, the following is an official statement from the museum:
GAR Civil War Museum & Library approves proceeding with further
investigation of Lincoln artifact
On Monday evening (5/4/09), in a unanimous vote, the Board of Directors of
the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum & Library, located in
Philadelphia, PA, approved moving forward with the investigation of a
prized Lincoln artifact belonging to the Museum.
A section of the ?bloody pillowcase? on which President Lincoln had died
has been the center of a media blitz and historical controversy, as the
Museum?s Board wrestles with the decision on whether or not to conduct
testing on their sample of Lincoln?s blood and brain matter.
The Museum is expected to convene a forum of Lincoln scholars and forensic
pathologists to guide the Board?s future decisions relating to this debate.
May 6th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I think too much speculation is invited. Lincoln was a very practical man. Let’s say we had a civil war today – what would you do, threaten to kill anyone and everyone on the rebel side? That just doesn’t make sense; get them to give up their guns, swear allegiance to the union, make reparations for any damages, and get on with their lives. A good leader would have peace, prosperity, and the common good in mind, not a mindless defence of the status quo and a tyranical desire to show everyone else who’s king. If secession were necessary to bring about peace, you can bet that would have been an option to consider.
May 6th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
He died from a gun shot wound to the head…ummmmn, that is pretty “point blank”. Maybe he had “corns” on his feet too! Everyone should stop try ing to stll ride his coat tails for thier 15 minutes of fame. He is dead and nothing more can be learned from that.
May 7th, 2009 at 8:39 am
If the president was indeed suffering from cancer and knew he didn’t have much time, might that have influenced how he conducted his presidency during the war?
Doubtful. From what I know of Lincoln, I do not think that he would have let his own personal health color his decisions on what he thought was best for the country.
November 8th, 2009 at 1:31 am
The truth is that Lincoln was a bisexual and if his dna is tested the results might reveal that he was dying from syphilis which was quite rampant at that time and there was evidence lincoln and his wife had been infected. Who wants to hear that one of our greatest presidents had syphilis and open up that barrel of worms. Better to let the dna alone and let well enough alone. After all he was a great man!
November 11th, 2009 at 12:32 am
He was into speed, joshua to be exact, and oh he was just sleeping in the same bed and unlike michael jackson he couldn’t sing but he did have a pretty bad moonwalk its just that at that time no one had a video and who wants to see an old president anyway.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Lincoln was obviously a great president but its time to get to the bottom of it. He was hooked up with a fixed marriage. If people want to feel a gay or bisexual president isn’t possible that ‘s their private delusion. I guess it just doesn’t fit with the preconceived american ideal of success and family and religion and all that stuff that makes us such a wonderful combination of possibility and reality.