[1] The book had previously been adapted in 1956 as a live television play directed by Delbert Mann and starring Raymond Massey as Lincoln, Lillian Gish as Mary, and Jack Lemmon as John Wilkes Booth.

Coming from an acting family, he feels overshadowed by his father and brother and longs to make his mark on history.

Two days later, on April 11, Booth is outraged when he hears Lincoln making a speech promising African-Americans citizenship and the vote.

Later that night, during the performance of Our American Cousin at Ford's Theater, Booth shoots Lincoln and escapes after stabbing the left arm of Major Henry Rathbone, a substitute guest, and landing awkwardly on the stage.

After being examined by Dr. Charles Leale and two other doctors, Lincoln is then carried across the street to the Petersen House, where he died the following morning at 7:22 A.M. surrounded by his friends and family for the remaining 8 hours.

After an intense manhunt for two weeks, Boston Corbett shoots Booth inside a burning barn surrounded by federal troops.