Abraham Lincoln as a Legal Writer

11 Pages Posted: 15 Mar 2010 Last revised: 1 May 2011

See all articles by Judith D. Fischer

Judith D. Fischer

University of Louisville - Louis D. Brandeis School of Law

Date Written: March 12, 2010

Abstract

This article draws on a recent collection of Abraham Lincoln’s legal papers as well as on secondary sources to show how Lincoln developed his genius as a writer. The article then discusses characteristics that made his writing so eloquent. It concludes that today’s lawyers might profitably emulate Lincoln’s close study of great literature as well as his clear, succinct writing style.

Keywords: Abraham Lincoln, legal writer, succinct, poetry, rhetorical devices, logic, precision

JEL Classification: K10

Suggested Citation

Fischer, Judith D., Abraham Lincoln as a Legal Writer (March 12, 2010). Nevada Law Review, Vol. 11, p. 82, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1569758

Judith D. Fischer (Contact Author)

University of Louisville - Louis D. Brandeis School of Law ( email )

Wilson W. Wyatt Hall
Louisville, KY 40292
United States

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