The Rail-Splitter Surprise: Abraham Lincoln and the Presidential Election of 1860

Abraham Lincoln wasn’t always the beloved household name he is today. In the 1860 presidential election, Lincoln was an underdog in a crowded field of better-known Republican candidates attempting to earn their party’s nomination. With compelling speeches about his platform, photographs and stories that introduced him to the country, and a “Rail Splitter” nickname that drew on his humble roots, Lincoln defied expectations when he won the Republican nomination and the national contest in November.

In The Rail-Splitter Surprise: Abraham Lincoln and the Presidential Election of 1860, visitors will discover how Lincoln emerged as a viable presidential candidate to lead the nation during a period of divisiveness that would result in the Civil War. Materials on view include editorial cartoons, contemporary political speeches, campaign literature, and portraiture of Lincoln from the 1860 election season.

The exhibition is on view August 27 - December 13, 2024, in the Lincoln Exhibition Case, which is located outside the Special Collections Gallery in Morris Library on the University of Delaware’s Newark campus. It can be viewed during Morris Library’s operating hours. Admission is free.

Exhibitions Free History & Culture Schools & Universities Northern Delaware

Plan Your Visit

Schedule & Tickets

Venue

University of Delaware, Morris Library
181 South College Avenue
Newark, DE 19717

More Events You Might Like

Stay Connected

search
events & places & more
October 2024
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
November 2024
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
December 2024
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
January 2025
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
February 2025
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
March 2025
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
April 2025
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
May 2025
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
June 2025
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
July 2025
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
August 2025
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
September 2025
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
next 3 days next 7 days
coming soon last chance!

Features

Categories

Regions

Opportunities

DelawareScene
Plan Your Visit You might also like...