Abe Lincoln in Illinois | Teaching Key Figures

Character Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major characters in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Characters

Jack Armstrong - A local bully who enters Rutledge's Tavern and treats people unpleasantly.

Billy - A clerk and later a law partner in Springfield who was an early supporter of abolition.

Stephen A. Douglas - This skillful speaker and political candidate from Illinois ran successfully for senator, but unsuccessfully for President of the United States.

Ninian Edwards - An influential political backer, son of an Illinois governor, and brother-in-law to a future First Lady.

Seth Gale - This man eventually moved West with his family and had a strong moral opposition to...
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