Historians routinely rank Abraham Lincoln as the greatest American president. But as the US grapples with its legacy of racism, Lincoln’s complex views are coming under scrutiny.

Emancipation Memorial has stood in Park Square since 1879. It is a version of the original, in Washington, D.C., which was funded by formerly enslaved people but designed without their input.

Professor Franklin talked about his 50-year career teaching about Lincoln and African American history. He spoke about stripping away the baggage and sentiment surrounding Lincoln and finding the man.

The 16th president is well known from black and white photos, but this re-discovered portrait adds dimension and meaning February 18, 2022 Abraham Lincoln, painted by W.F.K. Travers in 1864 or 1865.

Lincoln tried to resettle 453 newly freed Black Americans on a cotton farm on Île à Vache. The disastrous plan ended in mutiny, and one year later, only 350 survived.