Why Lincoln Grew His Beard – The 11-Year-Old Girl Who Changed His Image 

October 15th, 1860, Westfield, New York. An 11-year-old girl named Grace Bedell sits down to write a letter. Grace has seen pictures of Abraham Lincoln in the newspapers. Lincoln is running for president. Grace thinks Lincoln should win. But Grace also thinks Lincoln could improve his appearance.

 Grace writes, “I have got four brothers and part of them will vote for you anyway. And if you will 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.

Grace mails the letter to Springfield, Illinois. She doesn’t expect a response. Presidential candidates receive thousands of letters. Why would Abraham Lincoln reply to a child? But Lincoln does reply. On October 19th, 1860, Lincoln writes back to Grace. Lincoln’s letter is kind but skeptical. Lincoln writes, “As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affection if I were to begin it now?” Despite this response, something changes Lincoln’s mind. In November 1860, Lincoln is

elected president. Shortly after the election, Lincoln begins growing a beard. By the time Lincoln leaves Springfield for Washington in February 1861, Lincoln has a full beard. On February 16th, 1861, Lincoln’s train stops in Westfield, New York, Grace Bedell’s hometown. Lincoln asks if Grace is in the crowd.

 Grace comes forward. Lincoln bends down, kisses Grace on the cheek, and says, “You see, I let these whiskers grow for you, Grace.” This is the story of why Lincoln grew his beard, the 11-year-old girl who suggested it, and how this change transformed Lincoln’s image from a gaunt frontier lawyer into the iconic president we recognize today.

Let’s start by understanding what Abraham Lincoln looked like before the beard and why his appearance was a political problem. Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was 51 years old. Lincoln stood 6’4 in extraordinarily tall for the era when average male height was about 5’7 in. Lincoln weighed approximately 180 lb which was thin for his height.

 Lincoln’s face was long and angular with pronounced cheekbones, sunken cheeks, and a prominent nose. Lincoln’s complexion was described as shallow or yellowish. Lincoln’s hair was dark and unruly. Contemporary descriptions of Lincoln’s appearance were often unflattering. Political opponents mocked Lincoln’s looks constantly.

 Steven Douglas, Lincoln’s opponent in the 1858 Senate race and 1860 presidential election, never directly insulted Lincoln’s appearance in formal debates. But Democratic cartoons showed no such restraint. Democratic cartoons depicted Lincoln as an ape or gorilla. One widely circulated cartoon showed Lincoln as a baboon.

 Newspapers called Lincoln the original gorilla, a third rate country lawyer, and the ugliest man in America. These attacks were both political and personal. They sought to make Lincoln seem unfit for high office by mocking his frontier origins and unggainainely appearance. Lincoln was aware of these attacks.

 Lincoln had a self-deprecating sense of humor about his looks. When someone called Lincoln two-faced during a debate, Lincoln reportedly replied, “If I had two faces, do you think I’d be wearing this one?” But the mockery created a political problem. In 1860, presidential campaigns were different from modern campaigns. Candidates didn’t campaign actively themselves.

 This was considered undignified. Instead, political parties distributed pamphlets, newspapers, and most importantly, photographs and engravings of the candidate. Photography was still relatively new in 1860. The Dgera type process from the 1840s had given way to newer processes that allowed mass reproduction of images.

 For the first time in American history, voters across the country could see what presidential candidates actually looked like. This made appearance more important than ever before. Lincoln’s team understood this. Lincoln sat for dozens of photographs during the 1860 campaign. The most famous was taken by Matthew Brady in New York on February 27th, 1860, the day of Lincoln’s Cooper Union speech.

 Brady’s photograph shows Lincoln clean shaven. Lincoln’s face is gaunt, his cheeks hollow, his neck thin and long. Lincoln’s collar appears too large for his neck. Lincoln’s expression is serious, almost severe. The photograph captures Lincoln’s intelligence and intensity, but also his physical awkwardness.

 Lincoln’s supporters worried about the image problem. One supporter wrote, “Lincoln has the looks of a candidate who could lose on appearance alone.” Another noted, his photographs do not flatter him. He looks better in person than in pictures. This was the context when Grace Bedell wrote her letter in October 1860. Grace Bedell was born January 1, 1848 in Westfield, New York, a small town near Lake Erie.

 Grace’s father, Norman Bedell, was a farmer. Grace had four brothers, as she mentioned in her letter. Grace was 11 years old when she wrote to Lincoln. Some sources say she was 12, but her birth date confirms she was 11. Grace was politically aware despite her young age. The 1860 election dominated newspaper coverage. Lincoln was the Republican candidate.

 The Republican party had been founded only 6 years earlier in 1854, primarily to oppose the expansion of slavery into new territories. The election of 1860 was crucial because southern states threatened to secede if Lincoln won. Grace’s family supported Lincoln. Her father and older brothers were Republicans.

 Grace had seen Lincoln’s picture in newspapers and on campaign materials. Grace thought Lincoln should win, but believed his appearance hurt his chances. Her letter is preserved and reads, “Aunt dear sir, my father has just home from the fair and brought home your picture and Mr. Hamlins. I’m a little girl only 11 years old, but want you should be president of the United States very much.

 So I hope you won’t think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls about as large as I am? If so, give them my love and tell her to write to me if you cannot answer this letter. I have got four brothers and part of them will vote for you anyway. 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. My father is going to vote for you. And if I was a man, I would vote for you, too. But I will try to get everyone to vote for you that I can.

 I think that rail fence around your picture makes it look very pretty. I have got a little baby sister. She is nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter, direct to Grace Bedell, Westfield, Shiakwa County, New York. I must not write anymore. Answer this letter right off. Goodbye. Grace Bedell.

 The letter is charming in its directness. Grace addresses Lincoln as great man, but also offers unsolicited advice about his appearance. Grace’s logic is childlike but political. Brothers will vote for Lincoln anyway, but if Lincoln grows Whiskers, Grace will convince the others. Grace also claims all the ladies like Whiskers and would pressure their husbands to vote for Lincoln.

 Grace mailed the letter on October 15, 1860. The letter arrived in Springfield around October 18th. Lincoln read it on October 19th. Lincoln’s response is equally remarkable. Presidential candidates received hundreds of letters daily. Lincoln couldn’t possibly answer them all, but Lincoln chose to answer Grace’s letter personally.

 Lincoln’s reply dated October 19, 1860. Private Miss Grace Bedell. My dear little miss, your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received. I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughters. I have three sons, one 17, 1 n, and 7 years of age. They, with their mother, constitute my whole family. As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affection if I were to begin it now? your very sincere well-wisher, a Lincoln.

 Lincoln’s response is kind and personal. Lincoln corrects Grace’s assumption that he has daughters. Lincoln’s three sons were Robert, 17, Willie, nine, and Tad, seven. Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and these three sons were his family. A fourth son, Eddie, had died in 1850 at age three. Lincoln’s comment about whiskers is interesting.

 Lincoln calls growing a beard a piece of silly affection, meaning affected or artificial. Lincoln suggests people would think he was growing a beard to change his image for political purposes. Lincoln seems to reject Grace’s advice, but something changed Lincoln’s mind between October 19th and early November. Lincoln won the election on November 6th, 1860.

Lincoln received 180 electoral votes out of 303 total. Lincoln won every northern state except New Jersey, which split its votes. Lincoln received only 40% of the popular vote in a four-way race, but won decisively in the electoral college. Shortly after the election, Lincoln began growing a beard.

 The exact date is unknown, but photographs and eyewitness accounts allow us to narrow it down. On November 25th, 1860, a photographer in Chicago took pictures of Lincoln. These photographs show Lincoln with a beard in early growth, stubble covering his cheeks and chin. This means Lincoln started growing the beard sometime in early to mid November, probably within a week or two after the election.

 By early January 1861, Lincoln had a full beard. A photograph from January 13th, 1861 shows Lincoln with the beard we recognize today, full on the cheeks and chin, no mustache. Why did Lincoln change his mind? Lincoln never explicitly stated his reasons, but several factors likely influenced him. First, the election was over.

 Lincoln’s concern in his letter to Grace was that growing a beard would seem like silly affection, changing his appearance for political advantage. But after winning the election, this concern was moot. Lincoln could grow a beard without appearing to pander to voters. Second, Lincoln was facing an unprecedented crisis.

 Southern states were beginning to secede. South Carolina would secede on December 20th, 1860. By February 1861, seven states had seceded and formed the Confederate States of America. Lincoln needed to project authority and gravitas. Perhaps Lincoln thought a beard would look him more presidential, more mature, more authoritative.

Third, beards were increasingly fashionable in the late 1850s and early 1860s. Military officers often wore beards. European leaders wore beards. The previous president, James Buchanan, was clean shaven, as were all previous presidents. But fashion was changing. Lincoln may have simply decided to follow the trend.

 Fourth, and most intriguingly, Lincoln may have genuinely been influenced by Grace’s letter. Grace’s argument that ladies prefer whiskers and would influence their husbands was politically astute in a foly way. Lincoln respected political wisdom wherever he found it, even from an 11-year-old girl. Whatever the reason, Lincoln grew the beard, and the beard transformed Lincoln’s image.

 The beard filled out Lincoln’s thin face. The beard covered his hollow cheeks and gaunt jawline. The beard made Lincoln look older, more distinguished, more presidential. The beard softened the harsh angles of Lincoln’s face while emphasizing his strong features, his deep set eyes, his high forehead, his determined expression.

 The transformation is striking when you compare photographs. Lincoln, clean shaven, looks like a frontier lawyer, intelligent but rough hune. Lincoln with a beard looks like a statesman, dignified, authoritative, iconic. On February 11th, 1861, Lincoln left Springfield for Washington. The journey would take 12 days with stops in numerous cities for speeches and public appearances.

 This was Lincoln’s opportunity to show the nation its new president. On February 16th, 1861, Lincoln’s train stopped in Westfield, New York, Grace Bedell’s hometown. Lincoln remembered Grace’s letter. Lincoln asked from the train platform if Grace was in the crowd. Multiple newspaper accounts describe what happened next.

 The New York Tribune reported he then said he had corresponded with a young lady of the place who had advised him to let his whiskers grow and he had done so and he would now like to see her. She was found and brought to the platform when he stooped and kissed her. The Westfield Republican newspaper reported, “After his speech, he said he had a correspondent in this place, and she had advised him to let his whiskers grow, and if she was present, he would like to see her.

” A small boy shouted, “There she is,” Mr. Lincoln, pointing to a fair-haired little girl. Lincoln descended from the train and walked toward Grace, took her by the hand, and asked her if she wrote the letter. She said yes. Lincoln then said, “You see, I let these whiskers grow for you, Grace.” This encounter became famous. Newspapers across the country reported the story.

The image of the president-elect acknowledging advice from a child charmed the nation. In a time of national crisis, with secession underway and war looming, the story provided a moment of warmth and humanity. Grace Bedell later described the meeting in interviews. In a 1908 letter, Grace wrote, he climbed down and sat down with me on the edge of the station platform.

Gracie, he said, look at my whiskers. I have been growing them for you. Then he kissed me. I never saw him again. Grace kept Lincoln’s letter for the rest of her life. The letter became a cherished family heirloom. Grace married, had children, and lived to see Lincoln’s place in history secure. Grace moved to Kansas where she lived until her death in 1936 at age 88.

 In later years, Grace gave occasional interviews about her letter to Lincoln. Grace always emphasized that Lincoln was kind and took her seriously despite her age. Grace said, “He never talked down to me. He answered my letter as he would have answered an adult. Grace’s letter to Lincoln sold at auction in 2020 for $4500.

Lincoln’s reply to Grace sold at a separate auction for $25,000. Both letters are now in private collections, but have been displayed at various Lincoln museums and exhibitions. The question historians examine is, did Grace Bedell’s letter actually influence Lincoln’s decision to grow a beard? Some historians are skeptical.

 They argue Lincoln would have grown a beard anyway due to changing fashion trends. They note that Lincoln’s reply to Grace seemed to reject the advice. They suggest the Westfield meeting was simply good politics, acknowledging a child’s letter was charming and humanizing. Other historians take Grace’s influence more seriously.

 They point out that Lincoln didn’t grow a beard until after the election, exactly as his letter to Grace suggested, avoiding the appearance of silly affection. They note that Lincoln specifically credited Grace in Westfield, saying he grew the whiskers for you, Grace. They argue that Lincoln, who had a keen political mind, may have recognized the wisdom in Grace’s argument about ladies influencing their husbands.

 The truth is probably somewhere in between. Grace’s letter alone didn’t cause Lincoln to grow a beard, but the letter may have planted the idea. When combined with other factors, fashion trends, the need for a more presidential image, and the post-election timing, Grace’s suggestion may have tipped the balance. What’s undeniable is that the beard changed Lincoln’s image permanently.

 Every iconic image of Lincoln on the penny, the $5 bill, the Lincoln Memorial shows Lincoln with a beard. When Americans picture Abraham Lincoln, they pictured the bearded Lincoln. Lincoln never shaved the beard after growing it in November 1860. Lincoln wore the beard through his presidency. Lincoln wore the beard in his second inaugural address.

 Lincoln wore the beard the night John Wils Booth shot him at Ford’s Theater on April 14th, 1865. The beard became inseparable from Lincoln’s identity. So much so that when modern images show Lincoln clean shaven, he looks strange, almost like a different person. Grace Bedell’s role in this transformation is small but real. An 11-year-old girl saw something that adults missed that Lincoln’s appearance could be improved with a simple change.

Grace had the boldness to write to a presidential candidate with unsolicited advice. Grace had the political insight even at age 11 to frame her advice in terms of electoral advantage. And Grace had the luck that Lincoln read her letter and responded. The story of Grace Bedell and Lincoln’s beard is charming precisely because it’s so unlikely.

 A child influences a president’s appearance. A candidate takes advice from an 11year-old. A president remembers a letter months later and stops his train to acknowledge the girl who wrote it. In February 1861, as Lincoln traveled toward Washington to assume the presidency during the greatest crisis in American history, Lincoln took time to find an 11-year-old girl in a crowd and thank her for her advice about his whiskers.

 This gesture captures something essential about Lincoln. His humility, his humor, his humanity. Grace Bedell didn’t change history, but Grace changed how we see the man who did. Every time we look at Lincoln’s image, we see the influence of an 11-year-old girl from Westfield, New York, who thought the candidate would look better with whiskers.

 And she was right. This video presents historical events based on Grace Bedell’s original letter to Lincoln, October 15th, 1860. Lincoln’s reply to Grace, October 19th, 1860. Newspaper accounts of the Westfield Meeting, February 16th, 1861. Contemporary photographs, Grace’s later interviews and writings, and verified historical documentation.

Both letters are preserved and authenticated.