President Abraham Lincoln

Two authors talked about different views of President Abraham Lincoln and his use of new technology during the civil war from books they wrote. Harold Holzer talked about a speech Lincoln gave in New York and discusses Lincoln’s personal affinity for technology in both his personal and professional life. Tom Wheeler, a leader in the telecommunications industry, talked about Lincoln as the first “online” president. He explained that President Lincoln learned to use a new technology to manage a far-flung enterprise. He described how Lincoln used the telegraph to observe the civil war and maintain authority over his generals. He also shared some of the telegrams with the audience and described how he feels they convey a sense of Lincoln’s personality. After their presentations the authors responded to audience members' questions.

Mr. Holzer, co-chair of the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, is the author of Lincoln at Cooper Union: The Speech That Made Abraham Lincoln President, publi close