ISBA President John O'Brien presents "The Papers of Abraham Lincoln" to libraries throughout the state

ISBA President John O'Brien presented a complete, four-volume set of hardcover books, The Papers of Abraham Lincoln, to the public libraries in Belleville, Edwardsville and Springfield on Friday and in Danville, Decatur and Bloomington on Tuesday. The ISBA, in partnership with its charitable affiliate the Illinois Bar Foundation, purchased sets for all 102 Illinois counties as a contribution to the Illinois Bicentennial celebration of Lincoln's birth on Feb. 12, 2009. "Public libraries throughout the state will now have this important set of books that include details of his 50 most prominent cases," O'Brien said. "It is a lasting tribute to the most revered lawyer in the history of our state and nation." The Papers, a long-term project dedicated to identifying, imaging and publishing all documents written by or to Abraham Lincoln during his lifetime (1809-1865), is considered the most comprehensive collection of texts during his life. With the inclusion of correspondence, richer annotation and closer attention to details, The Papers of Abraham Lincoln offers a fresh, new look at the words and works of one of America's most admired citizens and opens new vistas on a critical period of the nation's history. Click here to view a photo gallery from these events.