#7: The Earliest Photograph of Abraham Lincoln
We all know what world leaders look like these days, thanks to the widespread use of photography. Some might even argue that we see too many images of current and former U.S. presidents. That wasn’t always the case. When the daguerreotype was invented in the late 1830s, it was a rare occurrence to have your portrait taken. That’s why this early photo of President Abraham Lincoln is so special.
This photograph is the earliest-known image of Abraham Lincoln. Historians estimate the photo was taken around 1846 when Lincoln was in his late 30s. This portrait was taken decades before Lincoln became president. He appears so young compared to later portraits. This daguerreotype image was discovered and published in McClure’s magazine three decades after his death, causing quite a stir in the U.S. at the time.