John Nicholay

Biography

John Nicolay served as a trusted aide and secretary to President Abraham Lincoln throughout the Civil War and Reconstruction era. Originally from Germany, Nicolay immigrated to the United States and established himself in Illinois politics before joining Lincoln's administration. After Lincoln's assassination, Nicolay remained active in public service and later collaborated with John Hay in writing a comprehensive biography of Lincoln, which became a definitive historical work documenting the president's life and presidency.