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While historians have extensively studied Abraham Lincoln's life, geneticists are now exploring a unique aspect of his history. His physical traits and medical background have led some to speculate that he may have suffered from Marfan syndrome.
Marfan syndrome belongs to a group of disorders impacting connective tissues, which are essential for maintaining the body's structural integrity. This condition can influence multiple bodily systems and may lead to severe complications. Its most noticeable characteristics include an exceptionally tall and slender build, along with elongated limbs, hands, and feet—traits that perfectly match descriptions of Abraham Lincoln.
Affecting approximately 1 in 5000 individuals, Marfan syndrome is often hereditary. When one family member is diagnosed, doctors typically examine the family lineage. This was the scenario in 1964 when a 7-year-old boy was diagnosed. Dr. Harold Schwartz, the physician who made the diagnosis, traced the boy's ancestry back over two centuries to Mordecai Lincoln II, the great-great-grandfather of Abraham Lincoln.
Two years prior to Schwartz’s findings, Dr. A.M. Gordon proposed a comparable hypothesis, which he detailed in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Schwartz contributed his findings to the academic discourse, sparking a vigorous debate.
Critics of the theory pointed out that Lincoln exhibited none of the other typical symptoms of Marfan syndrome. He had no history of heart, lung, or eye issues, nor did he have unusually flexible joints. At 56, his age at the time of his assassination, he had lived a relatively long life for that era. (Medical advancements have since improved the management of Marfan syndrome, which, while incurable, is now treatable, allowing those affected to live long and fulfilling lives.) Additionally, skeptics questioned how Lincoln could have inherited the condition from his paternal great-grandfather without similar traits appearing in his mother.
This artist might have exaggerated the likeness. Artwork by Lloyd Ostendorf, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain
Nancy Hanks Lincoln, by most descriptions, closely resembled her son, sharing his tall, slender frame and a somber expression. A family acquaintance, a minister, described her as “quite tall…bony, angular, lean…She had long arms, a large head, with an exceptionally broad forehead…and a sunken chest.” Nancy passed away at 34, possibly from “milk sickness” or a “wasting disease,” according to varying historical accounts. The exact circumstances of her death remain unclear.
Her son’s case, however, offers more clues. In the 1990s, researchers identified the gene linked to Marfan syndrome, opening the door to genetic testing—provided a DNA sample is available.
Fortunately, we have access to such samples. Historians have safeguarded several macabre relics from the night Lincoln was assassinated, including strands of his hair, pieces of his skull, and even bloodstains from his surgeon’s sleeves.
When scientists recognized the possibility of testing the former president’s DNA, a new dilemma emerged: Should they proceed? In the 1990s, the National Museum of Health and Medicine formed a committee comprising geneticists, legal experts, and forensic scientists to deliberate on the matter.
Advocates for testing argued that Lincoln, as a national icon, could serve as a symbol of hope and resilience for individuals living with Marfan syndrome today. One person with the condition remarked to the committee, “The possibility that Lincoln had Marfan syndrome demonstrates that we, too, can make meaningful contributions to society… It’s time for everyone, especially medical ethicists, to understand that having Marfan syndrome isn’t a source of shame—it’s merely a challenge to overcome.”
Opponents highlighted Lincoln’s well-documented privacy during his lifetime, arguing that conducting medical tests on his remains without his explicit consent would be a profound violation of his personal boundaries.
Ultimately, the committee concluded that Lincoln, if alive, would likely have agreed to testing if it could benefit others. However, their decision became irrelevant. During their discussions, additional genes linked to Marfan syndrome were identified, making a conclusive diagnosis unattainable.
Was Abraham Lincoln affected by Marfan syndrome? The answer remains uncertain. Nevertheless, the ongoing discussion about his physical traits has significantly increased awareness of a condition that impacts countless individuals across the United States.
