In 1861 Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) became the United States' sixteenth president. But before Lincoln became the nation's chief executive, he led a fascinating life that sheds considerable light upon significant themes in American history. This World Wide Web site presents materials from Lincoln's Illinois years (1830-1861), supplemented by resources from Illinois' early years of statehood (1818-1829). Thus Lincoln/Net provides a record of Lincoln's career, but it also uses his experiences as a lens through which users might explore and analyze his social and political context. How to Use Lincoln/Net: Northern Illinois University Libraries' digitization projects rely upon financial support provided by individual donors, private foundations, and state and federal agencies. Please contact Drew VandeCreek if you would like to inquire about making a tax-deductible donation to support our work. Smith, James McCune. 'Citizenship' in 'The Anglo-African Magazine, 1:5 (May 1859).' New York, N.Y. : T. Hamilton, 1859. Permission: Northern Illinois University. Library of Congress Mr. Lincoln's Virtual Library (Lincoln's Presidential Years)