John Wilkes Booth (1838-1865)

John Wilkes Booth came from a prominent family of tragedians, the Booths of Maryland. A popular actor and playboy, he was referred to in the press as the most handsome man in the U.S. A Confederate sympathizer, Booth opposed abolition and loathed Lincoln. In 1862 he set his cap for society belle Lucy Lambert Hale, the daughter of a leading abolitionist. After assassinating the president, Booth was apprehended and killed. The authorities discovered five photos of women in his pocket: four popular actresses and Lucy Hale.