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| The Phases of Lincoln's Transformation |
Presidents rise and fall, political campaigns come and go, but the power of a single, well-placed idea? That can last for generations.
Now imagine—an 11-year-old girl, far removed from the political battleground of Washington, unknowingly influencing one of the most iconic figures in American history.
Before Lincoln led the country through war, before his speeches were etched into the national conscience, before he even set foot in the White House—Grace Bedell saw something no one else did. And with just a few strokes of a pen, she altered the image of the man who would change the world.
A Political Genius
Grace Bedell’s letter wasn’t just a charming suggestion—it was an astute understanding of political optics, decades ahead of its time.
While Lincoln’s own political campaign strategists emphasized his image as the hardworking, “rail-splitter,” Bedell, at just 11-years-old, saw something deeper—the emotional and psychological power of appearance. She understood that a beard wouldn’t just change Lincoln’s look; it would soften his rugged features, make him more distinguished, and appeal to women—a vote-influencing group that had no official say but still held political power through their husbands, fathers, and sons.
This was grassroots persuasion at its finest—a near 20th- or 21st-century political strategy conceived and executed through a single, handwritten letter. Bedell wasn’t thinking in terms of policy or party lines; she saw the personal, human side of leadership—the same logic modern political campaigns use when focusing on relatability, image, and emotional appeal. (Think 2024 presidential election.)
She unknowingly predicted what would become a staple in future elections: political branding beyond policy—using personal appeal to shape public perception.
The Letter That Changed Lincoln
On October 15, 1860, from her home in Westfield, New York, Grace Bedell sat down and wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, then a relatively unknown presidential nominee. She didn’t discuss tariffs, states’ rights, or slavery. Instead, she focused on something no campaign strategist had considered.
"I have yet got four brothers, and part of them will vote for you any way, and if you let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you; you would look a great deal better, for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President."
What she understood—perhaps better than Lincoln himself—was the power of influence beyond the voting booth. Women, though disenfranchised, held immense political sway. Her letter was more than an opinion—it was also a political strategy.
Lincoln’s Response—And Transformation
Four days later, Lincoln wrote back, playfully questioning whether suddenly growing whiskers might seem absurd. But something about Bedell’s logic resonated with him.
By the time he embarked on his presidential journey to Washington, Lincoln had grown the full beard that would define his iconic image forever.
When his train stopped in Westfield, New York, he sought out Grace Bedell in the crowd. The president-elect greeted her, showing her his whiskers—proof that her idea had not only reached him but transformed him.
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| These two larger than life bronze statues, created in 1999 depict the historic meeting between President-Elect Abraham Lincoln and Westfield resident Grace Bedell.[**] |
A Legacy of Political Influence
Lincoln, of course, would go on to become one of the most celebrated figures in American history. His speeches, his resolve, and his leadership in the Civil War defined his presidency. But beneath it all, there remains the curious fact that an 11-year-old girl helped shape the unique and iconic image that the entire world recognizes.
Bedell’s understanding of human psychology in politics was decades ahead of its time. She saw what professional strategists would later rely on—personal appeal, relatability, and emotional connection matter as much as policy.
Her letter wasn’t just about a beard—it was a lesson about how leaders must recognize the subtle forces that shape public perception.
And in that moment, Bedell demonstrated what Lincoln himself would later embody—the power of words to move people, to shape history, and to change the course of a nation.
What do you think—was Bedell’s idea just a suggestion, or was she ahead of her time in campaign strategy?
This was another anecdote about Abe Lincoln, Storyteller.
Mac
Works Cited
[**] These statues, located in Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park in Westfield, NY were sculpted by local sculptor, Don Sottile and cast at the Fireworks Foundry, Penn Yann, in upstate New York.
[1] Bedell, Grace. "Letter to Abraham Lincoln. October 15, 1860." Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Roy P. Basler et al. .
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