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A critical assessment of Herbert Croly´s influential account of Abraham Lincoln in his 1909 book, The Promise of American Life, which argued that Progressivism was a continuation of the spirit of Lincoln´s political thought. This book argues for the first time that Croly´s praise of Lincoln is highly problematic.

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1. Introduction 2. Reconciling Nationalism and Democracy 3. The Demise of the Ante-Bellum Parties 4. The Need for Statesmanship 5. Croly´s Lincoln and the Synthesis of Moral and Intellectual Virtues 6. Assessing Croly´s Appeal to Lincoln 7. Conclusion

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J. David Alvis is Professor of political science at Wofford College, USA. His research interests include the presidency, the Progressive era of American politics, and constitutional law.

Jason R. Jividen is Assistant Professor of Politics at Saint Vincent College, USA where he also serves as Fellow in Civic and Constitutional Affairs at The Center for Political and Economic Thought.

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