Yet he shall have a noble memory

I’ve been in Washington this week for some meetings. I had the opportunity to visit the Lincoln Memorial early one morning before the tourists arrived in force. This may be my favorite time to visit the Memorial. It’s quiet, and the early morning view across the National Mall to the Capitol is beautiful, even with ongoing construction.

Here’s my picture of the statue of President Lincoln in the Memorial:

Look above Mr. Lincoln’s head and read the inscription. It reads, “In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.” Lincoln loved Shakespeare, of course, and he understood the role of memory in Hamlet, King John, Antony and Cleopatra and Shakespeare’s other plays. It lives in grief, joy and commemoration across all of Shakespeare’s works.

A Memorable Honor discusses the role of memory in Shakespeare and how important it is for leaders to understand how memory affects the men and women in their charge. Lincoln, who is now himself a memory preserved in marble, certainly possessed that understanding.

Until next time.

Frank

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