There are several interesting questions that arise from the story about how Joshua and Lincoln first met. One is whether or not Joshua and Lincoln had previously known one another. Is it a normal occurrence for a person to invite a total stranger to share a room?
Almost certainly, Joshua knew Abraham Lincoln prior to this event. Lincoln was a popular political figure in the community. Lincoln and Joshua were both active in the ventures of the Whig political party (the opposition party to Andrew Jackson’s Democratic Party). Additionally, Joshua ran in a circle of social elites in Springfield, many of whom had roots in the Kentucky landed gentry (as did Joshua). As a new attorney and a member of the state legislature with great ambition, Lincoln was attempting to break into this group of “movers and shakers.”
Historians believe that Joshua had attended at least one political speech made by Lincoln. David Herbert Donald, a Lincoln biographer, claims that Speed knew who Lincoln was but the recognition was not mutual. Now, I would not pretend to argue with Mr. Donald. But consider this: it was well known that Speed’s store was often the site for political discussions in Springfield and had a clientele that included some of the best known young leaders in the community (ironically, including Stephen A. Douglas). Is it not unreasonable to assume that Lincoln may well have known of Speed if not already having made his acquaintance? And, was it just a fortuitous happenstance that Lincoln walked into Speed’s store that day? Unfortunately, we will probably never know exactly how all of this came to occur. Perhaps Jonathan Putnam’s description of the Lincoln/Speed meeting in These Honored Dead is not so far fetched after all.
This being said, Speed’s offer to become roommates with Lincoln developed into a lasting friendship between the two. Indeed, several historians believe that Joshua Speed was Lincoln’s closest personal friend. The record would indicate that to be the case.
If you are interested in finding out more about the relationship between Joshua Speed and Abraham Lincoln I would recommend the following resources.
- We Are Lincoln Men: Abraham Lincoln and his Friends by David Herbert Donald.
- Your Friend Forever, A. Lincoln: The Enduring Friendship of Abraham Lincoln and Joshua Speed by Charles B. Strozier.
- First Friends: The Powerful, Unsung (and Unelected) People Who Shaped Our Presidents by Gary Ginsburg.
- Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America by Steve Inskeep.
- Lincoln and the Speeds: The Untold Story of a Devoted and Enduring Friendship by Bryan S. Bush.
There are several websites that provide a brief account of the initial encounter of Speed and Lincoln.
- A very short version from the Kentucky Historical Society is found at https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeMoments/moments08RS/22_web_leg_moments.htm
- The Smithsonian Magazine has a good account of the friendship between the two at https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/did-abraham-lincolns-bromance-alter-course-american-history-180962203/
Easily accessible primary sources that connect Lincoln and Joshua Speed include::
- Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln: and, Notes of a Visit to California: Two Lectures by Joshua F. Speed at https://archive.org/details/reminiscencesofa01spee/page/22/mode/2up
- Herndon’s Lincoln: the true story of a great life … by William H. Herndon and Jesse William Weik at https://www.loc.gov/item/22002699/
If you are interested in the mystery series by Jonathan Putnam it is called “A Lincoln Speed Mystery Series” and includes: These Honored Dead, Perish from the Earth, Final Resting Place, and A House Divided.
Until the next time, all my best to you.
David