Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809-April 15, 1865), as 16th President of the United States, led the nation through the American Civil War, and is considered one of the greatest figures of American history. He was a self-educated man who became a prominent lawyer and a politician in Illinois before being elected to the presidency in 1860. War broke out soon after his election, and over the course of his presidency, Lincoln helped preserve the Union and begin the abolishment of slavery. His Gettysburg Address is the most quoted speech in American history. Only a month into his second term as president and only six days after the Civil War ended, Lincoln was assassinated.