2024 Platt Family Essay Contest

• First Prize: Huy Nguyen, Cornell University

• Second Prize: Stuart Lukz, Ohio State University

• Third Prize: Bethany Moore, University of Missouri – Columbia

The topic of the 2021 essay was: "What Would Lincoln Do?"

2021 marks the 150th anniversary of the Ku Klux Klan Act, a major milestone in the tumultuous Reconstruction era. Examining Lincoln's 1863 Louisiana plan along with other evidence, would Reconstruction have been any different if Lincoln had not been assassinated? If so, how?

• First Prize: Daelyn Stabler, Lebanon Valley College

• Second Prize: Sawyer Castleberry-Backman, University of Redlands

• Third Prize: Isabel Martin, Haverford College

The topic of the 2020 essay was: "The Influence of Women on the Era of Abraham Lincoln"

As America commemorates the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage, discuss how women, who could not vote in 1860, nevertheless exerted influence on the era of Abraham Lincoln.

• First Prize: Hannah So, Georgetown University

• Second Prize: Cassidy Durland, Mesa Community College

• Third Prize: Brett Cornwell, New Mexico State University

The topic of the 2019 Essay was: "Abraham Lincoln: Our Greatest President?"

In surveys and polls, historians and the public have consistently ranked Abraham Lincoln as America's greatest president. Why has Lincoln earned and retained first prize, and do you agree that he deserves this status.

•  First Prize: Davin H. Lawrence, Austin Community College
•  Second Prize: Amy Block, Calvin College
•  Third Prize: Amanda Carlin, Raritan Valley Community College

The topic of the 2018 Essay was: “Frederick Douglass, Stephen Douglas, and Abraham Lincoln”

2018 marks the 160th anniversary of the famous debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. It will also be the bicentennial of the birth of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Although Lincoln had major policy disagreements with both of these men,  they also greatly influenced his political philosophy. What is the historical impact of Lincoln's relationships with Stephen Douglas and Frederick Douglass?

•  First Prize: Jacob Britton, Cornell University
•  Second Prize: Alexandra Shtabnaya, University of Mary Washington
•  Third Prize: Susan Dunsworth, Waynesburg University

The topic of the 2017 Essay was: “What lessons from Lincoln's presidency might be useful to our new president?”

Several American presidents, including ideological opposites George W. Bush and Barack Obama, have stated that they have either admired or sought inspiration from the life and times of Abraham Lincoln. What is it about Lincoln that appeals to a wide range of political leaders?  What lessons from Lincoln's presidency might be useful to our new president?

•  First Prize: Brianna Cea, Binghamton University — SUNY
•  Second Prize: Wai Ho, University of California Berkeley
•  Third Prize: Jacob Britton, Cornell University

The topic of the 2016 Essay was: "Immigration"

Immigration is a controversial topic in American history, even more so in 2016. Citing examples from his writings, speeches, and policies, what was Abraham Lincoln's position on immigration? Did it evolve? Is it relevant to our contemporary debate?

•  First Prize: Sophie Lombardo, Washington University, St. Louis
•  Second Prize: Daniel E. Schooling, University of California, Davis
•  Third Prize: Sophia Leddy, Ashland University

The topic of the 2015 Essay was: "If Lincoln had lived..."

The year 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. How would the history of the United States, particularly in regards to Reconstruction, have been different if Lincoln had lived to complete his second term. Cite examples from Lincoln’s words and deeds that support your thesis.

•  First Prize: Ryan Durazo, The College of William & Mary
•  Second Prize: Rebecca Carifio, Bates College
•  Third Prize: Ashby Henningsen, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

The topic of the 2014 Essay was: “Lincoln and the Hard Hand of War"

In 1864 the American Civil War became even more savage. Casualties rose and prisoner exchanges stopped. During William Tecumseh Sherman’s March to the Sea and Phil Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley campaign, civilian property was deliberately targeted. Was Lincoln in part responsible for this hardening and brutalization of war in 1864, or was it an unpreventable development—a consequence of war's inertia? Should he have tried to mitigate it? Was this more brutal war and its hundreds of thousands of casualties and endless destruction justified in the effort to save the Union and destroy slavery—or was it not acceptable for any reason?

•  First Prize: Helen Yang, Princeton University
•  Second Prize: Rebecca Carifio, Bates College
•  Third Prize: Angela Topczewski, Harvard University

The topic of the 2013 Essay was: "Lincoln and Gettysburg: Expectations, Reactions, Consecrations"

2013 is the 150th anniversary of both the Battle of Gettysburg, and of Lincoln's most famous speech there. Why do these events resonate so much with Americans today? What was it about either the battle or the speech that made them timeless?

•  First Prize: Orrin Gibson, Ventura College
•  Second Prize: Joshua Benjamins, Hillsdale College
•  Third Prize: Rebecca Carifio, Bates College

The topic of the 2012 Essay was: "Did Lincoln Free the Slaves?"

2012 marks the 150th anniversary of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. In light of the complicated path he pursued to reach this milestone, does Lincoln really deserve his reputation as the Great Emancipator?

•  First Prize: Thomas Sanford, Washington and Lee University
•  Second Prize: Andrew Shindi, Harvard University
•  Third Prize: Lindsey Grudnicki, Ashland University

The topic of the 2011 Essay was: "Lincoln the War President"

2011 marks the sesquicentennial of the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861. Compared to his Confederate opponent Jefferson Davis, Abraham Lincoln had a very limited military background. How well did Lincoln adjust to becoming a war president during the trying first year of the war?

•  First Prize: Joseph Landry, Washington and Lee University
•  Second Prize: Andrew Shindi, Harvard University
•  Third Prize: Greg Woodburn, University of Southern California

The topic of the 2010 Essay was: "Lincoln and the Coming of the Civil War"

2010 is the 150th anniversary of the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency. Before his inauguration the following March, seven states seceded from the Union. Did Lincoln's election in November 1860 represent a real threat to the South? Was secession a reasonable response? Could Lincoln have done more to discourage Southern secession?

•  First Prize: Daniel J. Bornt, University of Illinois – Springfield
•  Second Prize: James Morrow Kane, Lawrence University
•  Third Prize: April Bollig, University of Colorado – Colorado Springs

The topic of the 2009 Essay was: "Barack Obama and Abraham Lincoln: Getting Right with Lincoln"

From his campaign announcement in Springfield to his victory speech in Chicago, our new president has repeatedly made references to being inspired by Abraham Lincoln. Which other presidents have been inspired by the Great Emancipator?

What lessons can be learned from Lincoln’s presidency by President Obama?

•  First Prize: Michael Cohen, Cornell University
•  Second Prize: Brian Rose, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
•  Third Prize: Diane Samuelson, University of Nevada Las Vegas

The topic of the 2008 Essay was: "Lincoln at 200: Still Relevant?"

February 12, 2009, marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. What relevance, if any, does Lincoln's life and accomplishments have to the challenges faced by today's generation?

•  First Prize: Andrew Buchwach, Depaul University
•  Second Prize: Brian Rose, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
•  Third Prize: Katherine Petti, Harvard University

The topic of the 2007 Essay was: "Abraham Lincoln — Lawyer in the White House."

How did Lincoln's study and practice of law prepare him for the challenges he would face during his Presidency?

•  First Prize: Matthew Baker, Bob Jones University
•  Second Prize: Brian Rose, Truman State University
•  Third Prize: Ethan Evans, Miami of Ohio University

The Topic of the 2006 Essay was: "Lincoln and the Mexican-American War"

2006 marks the 160th anniversary of the start of the Mexican-American War. Then-Congressman Abraham Lincoln opposed the war, a stand which may have cost him a chance at re-election. Was this decision Lincoln's greatest political mistake? Compare and contrast this decision with others in Lincoln's life that you believe were erroneous or shortsighted and discuss the political perils and moral challenges of opposing wars and the Presidents who wage them.

•  First Prize: Jonathan Steplyk, Ripon College
•  Second Prize: Eric Li, University of Michigan
•  Third Prize: Brittany Greggorson, Georgetown University

The Topic of the 2005 Essay was: "If Lincoln had lived...."

2005 marks the 140th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. If Abraham Lincoln had not been assassinated, how would the course of American history have changed?

•  First Prize: George Gilbert, Duke University
•  Second Prize: Amanda Taylor, Carrol College (MT)
•  Third Prize: Brad Reid, SUNY Stony Brook

The Topic of the 2004 Essay was: "The Challenge of Holding an Election in the Midst of War"

Compare and contrast Abraham Lincoln's reelection in 1864 with other wartime elections in American History.

•  First Prize: John Bellocchio, Seton Hall University
•  Second Prize: Monica Modi, Yale University
•  Third Prize: James Alfred Stewart, Briercrest Bible College

The Topic of the 2003 Essay was: "Lincoln's Image in Popular Culture"

Citing examples, discuss how Abraham Lincoln has been portrayed in television, motion pictures, and advertising. How faithful are these images to the true Lincoln? How has Lincoln's image changed over the years? What do these changes say about each generation's interpretation of Lincoln?

•  First Prize: John Bellocchio, Seton Hall University
•  Second Prize: Monica Modi, Yale University
•  Third Prize: James Alfred Stewart, Briercrest Bible College

The Topic of the 2003 Essay was: "Lincoln's Image in Popular Culture"

Citing examples, discuss how Abraham Lincoln has been portrayed in television, motion pictures, and advertising. How faithful are these images to the true Lincoln? How has Lincoln's image changed over the years? What do these changes say about each generation's interpretation of Lincoln?

•  Matthew Dunn

The Topic of the 2001 Essay Contest was: "Abraham Lincoln: Liberator or Racist?"

•  First Prize: David Byers
•  Second Prize: Colleen Bowman
•  Third Prize: Daniel Marcinak

The Topic of the 2000 Essay was: "Abraham Lincoln and Civil Liberties: Constitutional Stalwart or Tyrant?"

•  First Prize: Vickey Kalambakal
•  Second Prize: Gina Sandvick
•  Third Prize: Adam Tompkins

The Topic of the 1999 Essay was: "Abraham Lincoln the Myth versus Abraham Lincoln the Man"