# John Wilkes Booth

> American stage actor and assassin (1838–1865)

**Wikidata**: [Q180914](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q180914)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wilkes_Booth)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-wilkes-booth

## Summary
John Wilkes Booth was an American stage actor and assassin (1838–1865), best known for assassinating President Abraham Lincoln during his performance at Ford's Theatre in 1865. His actions triggered the Civil War's final months and reshaped American politics.

## Biography
- Born: May 10, 1838, in Bel Air, Maryland, United States
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Attended the University of Virginia (1855–1856)
- Known for: Assassinating President Abraham Lincoln and his brother, Secretary of State William H. Seward
- Employer(s): Various theaters in the United States
- Field(s): Acting, theater

## Contributions
- **Assassination of Abraham Lincoln**: On April 14, 1865, Booth shot and killed President Lincoln during his performance at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. His actions led to Lincoln's death the following day, marking a pivotal moment in American history.
- **Assassination of Secretary of State William H. Seward**: Booth also killed Seward, who died on December 10, 1872, from injuries sustained in the same attack.
- **Stage Acting Career**: Booth performed in theaters across the United States, including roles in productions like *Our American Cousin* and *The Rose of the Rancho*.

## FAQs
**What was John Wilkes Booth's primary occupation?**
John Wilkes Booth was primarily a stage actor, performing in theaters across the United States before his infamous assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

**What led to John Wilkes Booth's assassination of President Lincoln?**
Booth's motivations remain debated, but he was a Confederate sympathizer who believed Lincoln's leadership was undermining the Southern cause. His actions triggered the Civil War's final months and reshaped American politics.

**Where did John Wilkes Booth die?**
John Wilkes Booth was captured and executed by hanging in Washington, D.C., on April 26, 1865, just days after assassinating President Lincoln.

## Why They Matter
John Wilkes Booth's assassination of President Abraham Lincoln had profound and lasting consequences. His actions triggered the Civil War's final months, accelerated the Union's victory, and reshaped American politics. Booth's death sentence marked a pivotal moment in American history, symbolizing the brutal end of the conflict and the harsh justice meted out to those who opposed the Union. His legacy continues to be studied as a case study in political violence and its impact on national identity.

## Notable For
- **Assassination of Abraham Lincoln**: Booth's act on April 14, 1865, marked a turning point in American history, leading to Lincoln's death and the Civil War's conclusion.
- **Stage Actor**: Booth was a respected performer in theaters across the United States before his infamous crime.
- **Confederate Sympathizer**: His assassination was driven by his belief that Lincoln's leadership was undermining the Southern cause.
- **Execution**: Booth was captured and executed by hanging in Washington, D.C., on April 26, 1865, just days after his crime.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
John Wilkes Booth was born on May 10, 1838, in Bel Air, Maryland, to a wealthy and influential family. He attended the University of Virginia from 1855 to 1856 but left without a degree. His family connections and financial background allowed him to pursue acting as a career.

### Acting Career
Booth began performing in theaters across the United States, gaining recognition for his roles in productions like *Our American Cousin* and *The Rose of the Rancho*. His performances were well-received, and he was considered a talented actor in the mid-19th century.

### Political and Personal Motivations
Booth's assassination of President Lincoln was driven by his belief that Lincoln's leadership was undermining the Southern cause. He was a Confederate sympathizer and believed that Lincoln's policies were destroying the South. His actions were part of a broader conspiracy involving other Confederate supporters.

### Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
On April 14, 1865, Booth shot and killed President Lincoln during his performance at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Lincoln died the following day, marking a pivotal moment in American history. Booth's actions triggered the Civil War's final months and reshaped American politics.

### Assassination of Secretary of State William H. Seward
Booth also killed Secretary of State William H. Seward, who died on December 10, 1872, from injuries sustained in the same attack. Seward's death further complicated the political landscape and highlighted the depth of Booth's conspiracy.

### Capture and Execution
Booth was captured and executed by hanging in Washington, D.C., on April 26, 1865, just days after assassinating President Lincoln. His death sentence marked a pivotal moment in American history, symbolizing the brutal end of the Civil War and the harsh justice meted out to those who opposed the Union.

### Legacy and Influence
John Wilkes Booth's assassination of President Abraham Lincoln had profound and lasting consequences. His actions triggered the Civil War's final months, accelerated the Union's victory, and reshaped American politics. Booth's legacy continues to be studied as a case study in political violence and its impact on national identity. His execution marked a pivotal moment in American history, symbolizing the harsh justice meted out to those who opposed the Union.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. [Source](http://www.oocities.org/chiniquy/Booth.html.tmp#:~:text=John%20Wilkes%20Booth%20was%20baptized,%2C%20on%20January%2023%2C%201853.)
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. CiNii Research
8. Fortune's fool : the life of John Wilkes Booth
9. Composers and Publishers of Parlor Songs and Spirituals from Civil War Richmond: 1861 – 1867
10. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
11. SNAC
12. Internet Broadway Database
13. Find a Grave
14. GeneaStar
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. Quora
17. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File