When Booth Saved Lincoln

I know what you’re thinking. “But Booth killed Lincoln!” Different Booth, different Lincoln – but they’re related.

Edwin Booth in 1870 as Hamlet

Sometime during the winter of 1864-1865, President Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln (aged 21), was buying a train ticket in New Jersey. The crowded platform led to Robert having to lean against the body of the train.

When the train began to move, Robert was pulled off balance and into the gap between the train and the platform. Before any damage could be done, someone grabbed his collar and pulled him back up.

Robert Lincoln’s rescuer was none other than the renowned actor Edwin Booth. Just a few months later Edwin’s brother, John Wilkes Booth, would become infamous for assassinating Robert’s father, President Abraham Lincoln.

At the time, Edwin had no idea whose life he had saved. It wasn’t until some months after the assassination, when Edwin received a letter of praise from Robert's friend, Col. Adam Badeau, that he realized the significance of his heroism.

Undoubtedly, the incident provided some consolation to Edwin following the heinous act of his brother. You can read the full story in History.net's article, "Edwin Booth Saved Robert Todd Lincoln's Life."