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James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.

September 26

John George Nicolay

By Richard Watson Gilder (1844–1909)

  • John Nicolay, who died on Sept. 26, 1901, was the private secretary of President Lincoln and joint author, with John Hay, of a life of the President.


  • THIS man loved Lincoln, him did Lincoln love;

    Through the long storm, right there, by Lincoln’s side,

    He stood, his shield and servitor; when died

    The great, sweet, sorrowful soul,—still high above

    All other passions, that for the spirit fled!

    To this one task his pure life was assigned:

    He strove to make the world know Lincoln’s mind:

    He served him living, and he served him dead.

    So shall the light from that immortal fame

    Keep bright forever this most faithful name.