Abraham Lincoln’s Intimate Male Friendships Come To Light In Doc Film
A new film sheds light on Abraham Lincoln’s personal life. Lover Of Men: The Untold History Of Abraham Lincoln explores the president’s close male friendships. It’s set to premiere on 6 September 2024.
The documentary focuses on Lincoln’s relationship with Joshua Speed. They lived together for four years in Springfield, Illinois. From 1837 to 1841, they shared a bed. This was common in the 1800s. But the film suggests their bond was special.
Director Shaun Peterson interviewed many experts for the film. They discuss Lincoln’s letters and unseen photos. These paint a picture of Lincoln’s emotional world.
A key moment in the film is 1 January 1841. Lincoln called this day “the fatal first”. He learned Speed was moving away. This news hit Lincoln hard. “Lincoln was devastated,” one expert says in the film. After Speed left, Lincoln fell into a deep sadness. His friends worried about him. They took away sharp objects from his home.
Lincoln wrote to his work partner about his feelings. He said, “I am the most miserable man living. If what I feel were shared by everyone, no one would smile.” The film looks at how people viewed close male friendships in the past. It compares this to how we see things today. It asks us to think about historical figures in new ways.
The president later married Mary Todd and had four sons. But the film suggests his bond with Speed was very important to him. It may have affected him as much as the stress of being president during the Civil War.
Lover Of Men also talks about Lincoln’s other male friendships. It gives us a full picture of his emotional life. The film helps us understand the private side of this famous leader.
When the film opens, some ticket sales will help The Human Rights Campaign.
This documentary will start new conversations. It shows us that even famous people have private struggles and deep friendships.
