Career Before the Presidency

Lincoln worked as a clerk before joining the military. He ran for the state legislature and lost in 1832. He was appointed as Postmaster of New Salem by Andrew Jackson (1833 36). He was elected as a Whig to the Illinois legislature (1834 1842). He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1836. Lincoln served as a US Representative (1847 49). He was elected to the state legislature in 1854 but resigned to run for the US Senate. He gave his famous house divided speech after being nominated.