What have historians estimated Abraham Lincoln's annual income to be in his most prolific years as an attorney?

Answer 1

Abraham Lincoln has had countless biographers over the years. Many have estimated his most prolific years as an attorney were in the 1840's. Reportedly he earned between $1,200 to $1,500 per year in the 1840's. In those days this was no small amount. US state governors at the time were paid approximately $1,200 per year and circuit judges earned about $750 per year. There seems to be a lack of estimates on Lincoln's income in the 1850's when he had large corporations as clients. It can be expected that in those years his earnings were higher than in the 1840's.

Answer 2

According to historian Steven Mintz, "Altogether, Lincoln probably handled some 3,000 legal cases [during his legal career]. Lincoln succeeded in transforming himself into one of Illinois’s leading trial and appeals attorneys, and he earned a substantial income from his legal practice, as much as $2,500 a year." Much of that came from cases related to business cases, as well as cases where he represented the Illinois Central Railroad." Note that various sources give various guess-timates of his fees and earnings, but this story may actually have a definitive answer. You may want to contact the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield IL. I've found them to be a wonderful resource, since they have in their possession numerous artifacts, including ledgers related to his finances.