Fact Check: there are unknown Abraham Lincoln photographs

Fact Check: "There are unknown Abraham Lincoln photographs"

What We Know

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is known to have been photographed numerous times during his lifetime, with estimates suggesting that there are around 130 known photographs of him. Recent discoveries have revealed additional images, such as those found at the Library of Congress, which included previously unknown photographs from significant events like the Gettysburg Address (Library of Congress). Furthermore, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum has initiated a project called "Picturing Lincoln," which aims to digitize and share a collection of high-resolution Lincoln photographs, starting with 1,001 images and promising to add several thousand more in the future (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library).

Analysis

The claim that there are "unknown Abraham Lincoln photographs" is supported by the ongoing discoveries of new images. The Library of Congress's recent findings of images, previously unrecognized, highlight that the total number of Lincoln photographs may increase as more archives are explored (Library of Congress). Additionally, the "Picturing Lincoln" project aims to make these images accessible to the public, further suggesting that there are indeed photographs that have not been widely known or recognized until now (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library).

However, it is essential to assess the reliability of the sources. The Library of Congress is a reputable institution with a long history of archival work, making its claims credible. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library also has a strong reputation for preserving Lincoln's legacy and is actively involved in historical research and education. In contrast, some less formal sources, such as Tumblr blogs or lesser-known websites, may not provide the same level of reliability or scholarly backing (Lesser-Known Lincoln Photographs, Rare Photographs of Abraham Lincoln).

While the existence of unknown photographs is substantiated, the term "unknown" can be subjective. It refers to images that have not been cataloged or recognized in the broader historical narrative rather than suggesting that there are entirely new photographs being discovered regularly.

Conclusion

The claim that there are unknown Abraham Lincoln photographs is Partially True. While it is accurate that new images continue to be discovered and that the total number of known photographs may increase, the claim lacks specificity regarding the frequency and nature of these discoveries. The ongoing efforts to digitize and share Lincoln's photographs indicate that more images are being recognized, but the extent of these discoveries is still unfolding.

Sources

1. Rediscovering Lincoln
2. Lincoln in photographs : an album of every known pose
3. A new treasury of Lincoln photographs
4. List of photographs of Abraham Lincoln
5. Actually Abe? Experts dispute photo shows young Lincoln
6. Lesser-Known Lincoln Photographs
7. Rare Photographs of Abraham Lincoln from 1846-1865
8. President Abraham Lincoln, The Unknown