John Wilkes Booth

Guide Note

John Wilkes Booth was a Shakespearean actor who advocated slavery and supported the Confederacy in the Civil War. He developed a hatred for and conspired to assassinate him. On April 14, 1865, he shot President Abraham Lincoln in the head as part of a larger conspiracy. Lincoln died the following day from the gunshot wound Booth inflicted.

Fast Facts

1. Born: May 10, 1838
2. Birthplace: Bel Air, Maryland
3. Died: April 26, 1865
4. Place of Death: Port Royal, Virginia
5. Yelled "Sic semper tyrannis" ("Thus always to tyrants") after the shooting
6. Occupation: Actor
7. Suffered a broke leg during his escape
8. Parents: Junius Brutus Booth and Mary Ann Holmes

Booth conspired to kill President Abraham Lincoln as well as Vice-President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William Seward, the next two people in line for the Presidency, hoping to plunge the Union Government into chaos and confusion.

The president attended a play at the Ford Theatre on April 14, 1865, titled Our American Cousin. Booth entered the presidential box where Lincoln was seated, aimed a pistol at the back of his head and shot The President point blank. He then jumped onto the stage and shouted "Sic semper tyrannis! The South is avenged!" He escaped the theater on horseback and went into hiding.

Booth was found 12 days later in a barn. Soldiers set the barn on fire and Booth was then shot in the neck. He died soon after.