John Wilkes Booth: The Infamous Assassin Of Abraham Lincoln

The story of John Wilkes Booth is one that intertwines fame, infamy, and a tragic end. Born into a family of actors, Booth made a name for himself on stage but ultimately became infamous for his role in one of America’s most shocking moments— the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. This article explores Booth's life, his motivations, and the tragic consequences of his actions.

John Wilkes Booth was a man of many contradictions. While he was celebrated for his talent in acting, his political beliefs and actions led him down a dark path that would forever stain his legacy. The events surrounding his life serve as a reminder of the complex interplay between personal ambition and moral choices, leaving us to ponder the true cost of our actions.

As we delve into Booth's early life, acting career, and the fateful night of Lincoln's assassination, we'll uncover the factors that shaped this notorious figure. Join us on this journey to understand the man behind the myth and the historical context that led to his tragic fate.

Biography of John Wilkes Booth

Table of Contents

• Who Was John Wilkes Booth?
• Early Life
• Acting Career
• Politics and Conspiracy
• Lincoln's Assassination
• Death

Who Was John Wilkes Booth?

At age 17, John Wilkes Booth made his acting debut. In the 1850s, he joined the Know-Nothing Party. During the Civil War, he was a Confederate secret agent. In March of 1865, his attempt to kidnap President Abraham Lincoln failed. On April 14, 1865, he assassinated Lincoln at Ford Theater. Booth was killed on April 26, 1865, in Port Royal, Virginia.

Early Life

On May 10, 1838, John Wilkes Booth was born near Bel Air, Maryland. Booth was the second youngest of 10 children. His father, Junius Brutus Booth, was a well-known actor and was eccentric, with a reputation for heavy drinking. John and his siblings were raised on a farm, which was worked by the family's enslaved people.

Acting Career

When he turned 17, Booth made his acting debut in Baltimore, with a role in a production of Shakespeare's Richard III. His early performances were such a hit that Booth was soon invited to tour all over the country with a Shakespearean acting company based in Richmond, Virginia.

Politics and Conspiracy

In the 1850s, Booth joined the Know-Nothing Party, which aimed to limit immigration into the United States. In 1859, he showed his support for slavery by joining a Virginia militia that aided in the capture and execution of John Brown, following his raid on Harpers Ferry. During the Civil War, Booth served as a secret agent for the Confederacy.

Lincoln's Assassination

On April 14, 1865, just after 10 p.m., Booth shot and killed Lincoln while he was watching a performance of the play Our American Cousin at Washington, D.C.'s Ford Theater. Directly after the shooting, Booth leaped onto the stage and yelled, "Sic semper tyrannis! (Thus ever to tyrants!) The South is avenged!"

Death

After crossing the Potomac River with some difficulty, Booth and his co-conspirators arrived at Richard H. Garrett's farm in Port Royal, Virginia. Investigators were in hot pursuit and on April 26, 1865, caught up to the criminals, who had been hiding in Garrett's barn. Booth refused to surrender, which spurred his pursuers to set the barn on fire. As the blaze engulfed the barn, Booth was shot by one of the investigators, Thomas P. "Boston" Corbett, a Union Army soldier. The shot paralyzed him. Booth was then carried from the burning barn and lay three hours on Garrett's porch before he died.