Lincoln: A Novel | 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

Abraham Lincoln - The novel's protagonist, he is introduced as tall, thin and awkward, with a prominent nose, high cheekbones, and tight yellow skin.

Mary Todd Lincoln - Nicknamed Madam or Hellcat depending on her mood, she talks to herself aloud, can be charming and calls her husband Father.

Salmon P. Chase - A powerful and anti-slavery Ohio Republican, he leaves the governorship to become a senator.

William H. Seward - A Senator from New York and former Governor, he is short, white-haired, long-nosed, pale-eyed, mysterious, and addicted to cigars and snuff.

Edward...
(read more)