--- title: "Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin Campaign Picture Sparks Young Girl's Advice" url: https://newscentral.site/abraham-lincoln-and-hannibal-hamlin-campaign-picture-sparks-young/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Lifestyle" published: 2026-11-05T17:00:00.000Z updated: 2026-11-06T12:27:29.903Z id: f3d7d976-6d6d-4328-9d0b-a502a1b4c886 source: "Mental Floss https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/presidents/letter-11-year-old-girl-changed-abraham-lincoln-appearance?utm_source=RSS" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/abraham-lincoln-and-hannibal-hamlin-campaign-picture-sparks-young/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin Campaign Picture Sparks Young Girl's Advice A young girl named Grace Bedell wrote to Abraham Lincoln in October 1860, suggesting he grow a beard to make himself more attractive to women voters. Abraham Lincoln was on the cusp of winning the presidency in October 1860, but a young girl's letter would soon change his appearance forever. A campaign picture of Lincoln and his running mate Hannibal Hamlin had been brought back from the fair by Grace Bedell's father, and she had taken note of the presidential hopeful. The 11-year-old was inspired to write to Lincoln after seeing his image. The letter, dated October 15, 1860, is now part of the Burton Historical Collection at the Detroit Public Library. It reveals a confident young girl who was well-versed in politics and not afraid to speak her mind. In her letter, Grace Bedell wrote that she had four brothers, some of whom would vote for Lincoln regardless of his appearance. However, if he grew whiskers, she promised to work on the rest: "You would look a great deal better for your face is so thin." The young girl's advice was not just about aesthetics; she believed that having a beard would make Lincoln more appealing to women voters. According to Bedell, all the ladies liked whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for him. Lincoln's facial hair became a topic of discussion among his supporters and detractors alike. While some saw it as a sign of maturity and wisdom, others dismissed it as a frivolous attempt to win votes. Bedell also took the opportunity to ask about Lincoln's personal life, inquiring whether he had any little girls her age. She complimented the rail fence around his picture and mentioned that her baby sister was "nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be." The young girl ended her letter with a firm instruction: "Answer this letter right off." It remains to be seen how Lincoln would respond to Bedell's advice, but one thing is certain - her words would have a lasting impact on his appearance. The young girl's letter was a bold move for its time, as she didn't hesitate to offer her opinion on Lincoln's appearance. She suggested that growing whiskers would make him look more attractive and increase his chances of becoming President. Her reasoning was that many women admired men with facial hair, and they might persuade their husbands to vote for him if he sported a beard or mustache. This showed a keen understanding of the social dynamics at play during Lincoln's presidential campaign. Lincoln took notice of her suggestion but expressed skepticism about adopting whiskers as part of his image. In his response, dated October 19, he questioned whether growing facial hair would be seen as a silly affectation. As it turns out, Lincoln had never worn whiskers before and was uncertain about how others would perceive them. This exchange highlights the importance of public perception in politics. The original letter from Bedell is now housed at the Burton Historical Collection within the Detroit Public Library's archives. It serves as a fascinating glimpse into the mind of an 11-year-old girl who felt emboldened to share her opinions on the presidential candidate. Lincoln's response, which included information about his own family, shows that he took Bedell's letter seriously and was willing to engage with his young supporters. The transcriptions of this exchange vary slightly due to differences in wording, but the original document remains in private hands. Lincoln received a letter from an anonymous group in New York City just three days before he received one from 11-year-old Grace. This group, calling themselves "True Republicans, suggested that Lincoln's campaign badges would be improved if he cultivated whiskers and wore standing collars. The True Republicans' letter was blunt, warning Lincoln that his appearance might cost him votes unless he took their advice. Their words were a stark contrast to the gentle encouragement offered by Grace. This exchange highlights the various opinions on Lincoln's appearance during the 1860 campaign. Lincoln's friends began teasing him about his facial hair by mid-November, just a few weeks after receiving both letters. By this time, he had stopped shaving. It is not clear whether Grace or the True Republicans' letter was more influential in this decision. A Chicago photographer named Samuel G. Alschuler captured the early stages of Lincoln's beard on November 25, 1860. This photograph provides a glimpse into the changes that were taking place as a result of public opinion. The Library of Congress holds both letters and notes that it is impossible to determine what ultimately led to Lincoln's decision to grow his beard. While Grace's letter was polite, the True Republicans' message was more direct and forceful in its suggestions. Lincoln's new appearance sparked conversation among those around him. The exact influence of these letters on his decision remains unclear, but their impact on public opinion is undeniable. Within about a month of receiving Grace's letter, Abraham Lincoln's appearance underwent a significant change. He stopped shaving, and by mid-November 1860, his friends were teasing him about his growing beard. This transformation was captured by Chicago photographer Samuel G. Alschuler on November 25, 1860. As the news spread, it became increasingly clear that Grace's letter had played a role in Lincoln's decision to abandon his clean-shaven look. The public took notice of this change, and soon people were speculating about the influence of the young girl's words on Lincoln's personal grooming habits. On February 16, 1861, during his inaugural train tour, Lincoln publicly acknowledged Grace's letter as a factor in his decision to grow out his beard. As his train stopped in Westfield, he addressed the crowd and revealed that he had taken her advice partly into consideration when making the change. When asked about the letter, Lincoln expressed his gratitude for the young girl's suggestion and praised its impact on his personal appearance. He even went so far as to say that if Grace were present at the time, he would like to meet her in person. The crowd erupted in cheers as a boy pointed out Grace's presence from atop a post. In response, Lincoln stepped down from the train and showered her with affection, giving her several hearty kisses" as the onlookers cheered. Lincoln's public acknowledgment of Grace's influence was a testament to the power of her words. The exact extent of their impact may never be fully known, but it is clear that the young girl's suggestion had a lasting effect on Lincoln's appearance and his relationship with the public. A second letter from Grace was written in January 1864, this time requesting assistance in securing a position at the Treasury Department. Unfortunately, there is no evidence to suggest that Lincoln responded to her inquiry. After marrying a Union veteran named George Billings, Grace relocated to Delphos, Kansas. She eventually passed away in 1936, leaving behind a lasting legacy tied to the American president. The letters written by Grace and Lincoln were reunited for public display in 2009 as part of a Library of Congress exhibition celebrating Lincoln's bicentennial. This marked the first time that both letters had been shown together. The exhibition was made possible through a collaboration between the Detroit Public Library and the Benjamin Shapell Family Manuscript Foundation, which lent their collection to the event. As it stands, this remains the only recorded instance of Grace's letters being exhibited alongside Lincoln's response. Grace's initial suggestion that Lincoln grow his beard had a profound impact on the nation's perception of its leader, ultimately contributing to a more approachable and relatable public image for him. --- Source: [Mental Floss](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/presidents/letter-11-year-old-girl-changed-abraham-lincoln-appearance?utm_source=RSS) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/abraham-lincoln-and-hannibal-hamlin-campaign-picture-sparks-young/