Why does every Abraham Lincoln impersonator sound the same, even though there are no known audio recordings?

Question

of the man?

Answer 1

hahahah that's a good question. like who was the first impersonator to start that sound.

not sure why.

Answer 2

There are three reasons.

One, historians tell us he had a somewhat high-pitched speech, so the impersonators copy that.
Second he lived in the US Midwest, Indiana and Illinois--the people who've played him mostly hailed from there, or somewhere with similar accents--Lee Bergere, Henry Fonda, Charles Aidman, Tom Tryon, Richard Boone.
Third, Raymond Massey played Lincoln in the most
important movie of all time on this subject, the play "Abe
Lincoln in Illinois". He was Canadian; but he did the part
using a flattish Midwestern accent--and everyone else is
still doing the man that same way.

Answer 3

its because of the film..

Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in a log cabin in Hardin County (now LaRue County), Kentucky. He rose from humble origins and less than a year of formal education to become the 16th President of the United States.

First there was - Abraham Lincoln (1930) - Directored by D.W. Griffith

This film about Lincoln made by the great movie director D.W. Griffith, starred Walter Huston. Historical recreations of scenes from Lincoln's life. A landmark film from Hollywood's early years. Walter Huston (April 6, 1884 – April 7, 1950) was a Canadian-born actor- to an Irish Anglican father and a Scottish mother, he began his Broadway career in 1924, he achieved fame in character roles once talkies began in Hollywood. His first major role was in 1929's The Virginian, opposite Gary Cooper.

He sat the tone for the voice by it was in the film - Young Mr. Lincoln (1940) - Directed by John Ford

This Oscar-winning film examines Lincoln's early years. Henry Fonda portrays young Abe Lincoln. The voice was informed by Carl Sandburg - the droll voiced poet who had began work on his series of biographies on Abraham Lincoln, which would eventually earn him his Pulitzer Prize in history (for Abraham Lincoln: The War Years, 1940).

Answer 4

I understand there are writings describing his voice as nasaly and tinny,not a deep baritone as you'd expect from his size.He was an exceptional speaker and could hold the attention of his audience for a long time.

Answer 5

Maybe that's the accent of people from the area he came from?

Answer 6

becuase he visited me in my dreams! I started the trend!!! But I made it better because he had a feminine voice.

Answer 7

That is a good question. I'll ponder it for a while.

Answer 8

thats a fricken awesome question, i wish i had an answer.

Answer 9

well maybe someone knew his face and told other people and told other people and told other people and goes on and on.

Answer 10

yeah good question, maybe its just cause the first one was good so they all copied