John Wilkes Booth was born on May 10, 1838, in Maryland. He was the ninth of ten children born to Junius Brutus Booth, a well-known actor, and his wife, Mary Ann Holmes. Booth's father was not only famous in the theater world but was also known for his heavy drinking and philandering, which had an impact on Booth and his siblings growing up.
Booth followed in his father's footsteps and began performing on stage at the young age of seventeen. He quickly gained a reputation as a skilled actor, known for his charm and charisma. Despite his success on stage, Booth struggled with personal demons, including a drinking problem and a tendency towards violence.
On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth infamously assassinated President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. The nation was thrown into mourning at the loss of their beloved leader, and Booth became one of the most reviled figures in American history. Just twelve days after assassinating the president, Booth was shot and killed by Union soldiers in Maryland.
Booth had two siblings, Edwin and Asia. While Edwin followed in their father's footsteps and became a successful actor, Asia lived a quiet life away from the spotlight. Booth's relationship with his family was complex, marked by both love and tension.
John Wilkes Booth's name will forever be associated with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, a dark chapter in American history. He will be remembered as a traitor and a villain, a man who brought tragedy and death to a nation already torn apart by civil war.