Henry Rathbone

Rathbone, Henry Reed

Henry Rathbone

Henry Rathbone was an American lawyer and diplomat born on July 1, 1837, in Albany, New York. He is best known for being present at the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.

Early Life

Henry Rathbone was born into a prominent family in Albany, New York. He attended Union College and later studied law at Harvard University.

Marriage

In 1867, Henry Rathbone married Clara Harris, the daughter of a wealthy senator. The couple had three children together.

Lincoln Assassination

On the night of April 14, 1865, Henry Rathbone and his fiancée Clara Harris accompanied President Abraham Lincoln and his wife to Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. During the performance, John Wilkes Booth entered the presidential box and shot Lincoln. Rathbone attempted to apprehend Booth but was stabbed in the process. The events of that night haunted Rathbone for the rest of his life.

Later Life

After the assassination, Henry Rathbone struggled with mental health issues and was unable to hold a steady job. He and his family eventually moved to Germany, where he continued to battle his inner demons. In 1911, Rathbone murdered his wife Clara and attempted to take his own life. He was declared insane and spent the remainder of his life in a psychiatric hospital.

Legacy

Henry Rathbone's tragic story serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of traumatic events. His role in the Lincoln assassination has been the subject of much historical analysis and speculation.