Booth Essay

If you could give advice to an historical figure, who would you choose and why? John Wilkes Booth would be a good choice because he was a famous actor, and killed Abraham Lincoln. If advice about pivotal events in Booth’s life could have been given to him while he was alive, that advice would have changed the course of his life.

John Wilkes Booth was born on May 10, 1838 he was born on a farm near Bel Air, Maryland. His father was Junius Brutus Booth and his mother was Mary Ann Holmes, Booth had nine siblings and he attended many upper class private schools. Following in his father’s footsteps Booth started acting, and he performed in many plays including some Shakespeare.

Even though Booth was born on the Union side he followed the southerner’s beliefs. Booth hated everything about Lincoln who represented everything Booth was against. ”…General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomatox.” (Norton Pg. 2). Two days after the surrender Lincoln gave a speech purposing to give certain blacks voting rights. Booth especially hated Lincoln now, and his plans of kidnap turned to murder. “He hated Abraham Lincoln who represented everything Booth was against.” (Norton Pg.1). Booth should have been more open and understanding to other people’s beliefs. He didn’t have to change his own beliefs but understand that everyone’s opinion on things can be different. There could have been people in his life who disagreed with him, but it doesn’t mean he had to kill them! Perhaps Booth could have written some laws he thought should change and send them to President Lincoln. These are some suggestions he could have considered.

Due to Booth’s Southern beliefs he and his group of conspirators planned to kidnap Lincoln. Booth’s plan was to hold Lincoln captive forcing the north to surrender, however Lincoln changed plans and stayed home. Booth’s plan was ruined. Booth would have been better off being proactive not reactive. Instead of kidnapping Lincoln,...