Roseland Cottage

Cooper Union Speech

Bowen recommended Lincoln to a group of young men from Plymouth Church in need of a speaker for what became known as the Cooper Union speech. That speech established Lincoln as a viable contender for the presidency, and helped pave the way for his election in 1860. This marked the beginning of their personal relationship. Mathew Brady took Lincoln’s portrait, shown here, at his studio in Manhattan on February 27, 1860, the same day Lincoln spoke at Cooper Union.