Debunking pop culture myths about Abraham Lincoln
Learn about the creative license moviemakers have taken in films about Abraham Lincoln.
EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.
-
EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.Think short-term vs. long-term.
-
EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.How does voting work in the world's largest democracy?Media Editor: Lauren Sims
-
EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.Decades later, the Civil Rights Act is still a critical piece of American legislation.
-
EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.Confronted by Copperhead opposition and by dissension within his cabinet, U.S. Pres. Abraham Lincoln struggled to contain the âfire in the rearâ during the Civil War.
-
EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.Learn about Abraham Lincoln's campaign in the U.S. presidential election of 1860.
-
Courtesy of Folger Shakespeare Library; CC-BY-SA 4.0 (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Learn how Abraham Lincoln's studying of William Shakespeare and the King James Bible helped him to compose perhaps the best-remembered address in American history.
-
EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.Description of Abraham Lincoln's years as a state lawmaker in Illinois, where he was an early advocate of women's suffrage, and of his marriage to Mary Todd.
News •
Today in History: Abraham Lincoln wins presidency
• Nov. 6, 2026, 4:30 AM ET (Chicago Tribune)
Charlestonâs iconic Sword Gate house, once owned by Abraham Lincoln descendant, lists for $35M
• Oct. 19, 2026, 1:15 PM ET (The Charleston Post and Courier)
'Lincoln in the Bardo' leaps from book to stage in Missy Mazzoli's new opera
• Oct. 14, 2026, 9:35 AM ET (AP)
Transcript
What Pop Culture Got Wrong
Abraham Lincoln
At Britannica, our job is to tell you just the facts about your favorite historical figures.
But sometimes facts still get confused with fiction.
Hereâs the truth behind everything pop culture got wrong about Abraham Lincoln.
Young Mr. Lincoln
Directed by John Ford, 1939
Wrong: As a young man, Lincoln prevented a lynch mob from killing two people.
As far as we know, Lincoln never single-handedly took down a lynch mob, or saved two peopleâs lives from such a group.
Itâs also worth noting that the two men Lincoln saved from being âlynchedâ in the movie are white, while âlynchingâ in the United States is almost always used to describe white violence against Black victims.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, 2012
Wrong: Abraham Lincoln fought and killed vampires.
Okay, this one is obviously untrue. In the movie, vampires are white Southerners dedicated to keeping the slave trade alive (even if theyâre dead).
Vampire-slayer Lincoln is driven by his hatred for racism, shown through his childhood-turned-adult friendship with Will, a free Black man.
Will wasnât a real person, and Lincolnâs understanding of race was in no way cemented from childhood.
While Lincoln pushed for freedom of Black people from enslavement from the beginning of his political career, it took him years longer to consider an extension of civil rights.
He didnât advocate for even partial Black enfranchisement until shortly before his death.
Lincoln
Directed by Steven Spielberg, 2012
Dubious: Lincoln may have been gay.
Spielberg hints at a possible romance in a scene where Lincoln wakes his secretary, John Hay, in the middle of the night to discuss politicsâand Hay asks if the president would like some company.
The scene isnât obvious, but neither are the facts about Lincolnâs sexuality. Some historians speculate that Lincoln had a romantic relationship with his friend Joshua Speed.
The two did live together for several years, and their correspondence shows them as being nervous about marrying women.
But itâs impossible to actually know the âtruthâ behind their relationship, if there is one.
We wonât call this something pop culture got totally wrongâbut itâs a historical âguess,â not proof.
Abraham Lincoln
At Britannica, our job is to tell you just the facts about your favorite historical figures.
But sometimes facts still get confused with fiction.
Hereâs the truth behind everything pop culture got wrong about Abraham Lincoln.
Young Mr. Lincoln
Directed by John Ford, 1939
Wrong: As a young man, Lincoln prevented a lynch mob from killing two people.
As far as we know, Lincoln never single-handedly took down a lynch mob, or saved two peopleâs lives from such a group.
Itâs also worth noting that the two men Lincoln saved from being âlynchedâ in the movie are white, while âlynchingâ in the United States is almost always used to describe white violence against Black victims.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, 2012
Wrong: Abraham Lincoln fought and killed vampires.
Okay, this one is obviously untrue. In the movie, vampires are white Southerners dedicated to keeping the slave trade alive (even if theyâre dead).
Vampire-slayer Lincoln is driven by his hatred for racism, shown through his childhood-turned-adult friendship with Will, a free Black man.
Will wasnât a real person, and Lincolnâs understanding of race was in no way cemented from childhood.
While Lincoln pushed for freedom of Black people from enslavement from the beginning of his political career, it took him years longer to consider an extension of civil rights.
He didnât advocate for even partial Black enfranchisement until shortly before his death.
Lincoln
Directed by Steven Spielberg, 2012
Dubious: Lincoln may have been gay.
Spielberg hints at a possible romance in a scene where Lincoln wakes his secretary, John Hay, in the middle of the night to discuss politicsâand Hay asks if the president would like some company.
The scene isnât obvious, but neither are the facts about Lincolnâs sexuality. Some historians speculate that Lincoln had a romantic relationship with his friend Joshua Speed.
The two did live together for several years, and their correspondence shows them as being nervous about marrying women.
But itâs impossible to actually know the âtruthâ behind their relationship, if there is one.
We wonât call this something pop culture got totally wrongâbut itâs a historical âguess,â not proof.
Last Modification: