I have to laugh at the notion that Lincoln was “functionally illiterate.” He is the author of some of the most the most famous speeches in the English language, after all. (Yes Virginia, in those days presidents actually wrote their own speeches!) If that’s functional illiteracy, I’ll take some of it myself.
That’s my point. Lincoln was remarkably well read. He just lacked a formal education, but lacking a formal education doesn’t mean ignorant.
What’s really remarkable is that this is the second thread today to feature Millard Fillmore