John G. (John George) Nicolay

Born in Essingen, Bavaria, in 1832, he immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up in Illinois. Before entering national politics, he worked as a newspaper editor and became active in Republican circles.

Nicolay is most closely associated with Abraham Lincoln. He served as Lincoln’s private secretary during the presidency, placing him at the heart of the Civil War White House and giving him a close view of Lincoln’s daily work and leadership.

After Lincoln’s death, he continued in public life, including diplomatic service in Paris and later work connected with the U.S. Supreme Court. He is also remembered for co-authoring the landmark Abraham Lincoln biography written with John Hay, a project that helped shape how later generations understood Lincoln and his era.