In 1860, a simple suggestion from an 11-year-old girl became part of American history.

 

In 1860, a simple suggestion from an 11-year-old girl became part of American history. Grace Bedell, a young girl from Westfield, New York, wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, who was then campaigning to become the President of the United States. In her letter, she encouraged Lincoln to grow a beard, believing that a new appearance could help him gain more support from voters.

Grace wrote that many women liked men with whiskers and suggested that they might influence their husbands to vote for Lincoln. She also believed that a beard would improve his appearance because she felt his face looked too thin. Her advice was unusual, but Lincoln took the letter seriously enough to respond.

Lincoln replied to Grace, thanking her for her suggestion. He explained that he had never worn a beard before and was unsure whether people would consider such a change appropriate. However, shortly after receiving her letter, Lincoln began growing facial hair.

By the time Lincoln traveled to Washington, D.C., for his presidential inauguration in 1861, he had developed his now-famous beard. During his journey, his train stopped in Westfield, New York, where Lincoln reportedly met Grace Bedell. According to historical accounts, he acknowledged her advice and showed that he had followed her suggestion.

Lincoln’s beard became one of the most recognizable parts of his appearance. Before him, American presidents had usually been clean-shaven, but his new look helped create the image that many people remember today. His beard became closely associated with his leadership during one of the most difficult periods in American history.

Lincoln was the first U.S. president to wear a full beard while in office. After him, several other presidents also had facial hair. Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, and Benjamin Harrison all wore full beards during their presidencies. Other leaders, including Chester A. Arthur, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and William Howard Taft, were known for their mustaches.

However, facial hair gradually disappeared from American presidential politics. After Taft left office in 1913, no U.S. president has had a beard. The last presidential candidate with a full beard was Charles Evans Hughes, who lost the 1916 election. The last candidate with a mustache was Thomas E. Dewey, who lost presidential races in 1944 and 1948.

Although modern politicians have occasionally experimented with facial hair, it has usually happened outside of presidential campaigns. For example, Al Gore grew a beard after losing the 2000 election, and Paul Ryan briefly grew one years later, but neither had facial hair while running for president.

The story of Grace Bedell and Abraham Lincoln remains a memorable example of how a small suggestion from a child became connected with a major historical figure. While historians cannot prove that Grace’s letter was the only reason Lincoln grew his beard, the timing suggests that her advice may have influenced his decision.

Today, Lincoln’s beard is considered one of the most iconic appearances in American history, and Grace Bedell’s letter continues to be remembered as a unique moment when a young girl’s idea helped shape the public image of a future president.