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A new book studying the connections Abraham Lincoln had to Illinois State University is drawing rave reviews.
Historian Tom Emery and ISU alum Carl Kasten created the 280-page book, “Abraham Lincoln and the Heritage of Illinois State University,” that uncovers the untold stories of Lincoln at ISU.
Lincoln served as counsel to the state’s Board of Education.
“Lincoln wrote the guarantee for the university, which secured funding. In doing so, he really ensured the university would be in Bloomington,” said Emery. “There was competition in other cities, mainly Peoria, to be the home of the university. The fact that Lincoln wrote the guarantee, securing funding, was a critical step in making sure the university would be in Bloomington where it’s been for 164 years.”