I discovered that Robert Todd Lincoln was there for each of the first three assassinations. I wanted to write about the Lincoln Memorial, so when I found out he had attended its dedication, that helped focus it further.
Meaning of the quote
This quote is about the author Sarah Vowell discovering that Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of President Abraham Lincoln, was present at the first three presidential assassinations in US history. Vowell was interested in writing about the Lincoln Memorial, and learning that Robert Todd Lincoln attended the memorial's dedication ceremony helped her focus her writing on that topic.
About Sarah Vowell
Sarah Vowell is an American historian, author, and actress best known for her work on the radio program This American Life and as the voice of Violet Parr in The Incredibles films. She has written several nonfiction books on American history and culture.
More quotes from Sarah Vowell
Not that I want the current president killed. I will, for the record and for the FBI agent assigned to read this and make sure I mean no harm, clearly state that while I am obsessed with death, I am against it.
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While I gave up God a long time ago, I never shook the habit of wanting to believe in something. So I replaced my creed of everlasting life with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
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Like Lincoln, I would like to believe the ballot is stronger than the bullet. Then again, he said that before he got shot.
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Relics are treasured as something close to the divine.
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Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves, Robert Lincoln bought a nice ski lodge.
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Jesus and Lincoln, Moses and Jefferson can seem so long gone, so unbelievable, so dead.
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