Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Herndon, William Henry (1818-1891) to Friend Whitney

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02490.09 Author/Creator: Herndon, William Henry (1818-1891) Place Written: Springfield, Illinois Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 September 1887 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy

The recipient of this letter is possibly Henry Clay Whitney, lawyer and Lincoln biographer. Herndon states that he is available any Saturday for Whitney to come see him. Informs that he never received the photo Whitney sent. Asks him to send another since he wants to use it in his memoirs of Lincoln, titled Life of Lincoln; the history and personal recollections of Abraham Lincoln. Written on Department of the Interior, Pension Office stationary.

Herndon was a friend, law partner, and biographer of Abraham Lincoln.

Herndon, William Henry, 1818-1891
Whitney, Henry Clay, 1831-1905
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources