Apparent Hair for the Heir Apparent

Witty title pilfered wholesale from John Hay, who wrote a little couplet commemorating this momentous day in history:

In 1860, 11-year-old Grace Bedell of Westfield, N.Y., wrote a letter to presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln, suggesting he could improve his appearance by growing a beard.

I love Dave Barry‘s telling of this story, where the little girl followed up with a letter advising Lincoln to add some rouge and a string of pearls, but then “luckily”, the Civil War broke out.

via Today in History – Lincoln advised on looks, debate – Local – Gaston Gazette.

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