A new documentary on Abraham Lincoln's life claims that the former president "shared a bed with a man for 4 years," before falling into "suicidal depression" after his alleged partner left.
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States, serving from 1861 until his tragic assassination in 1865.
The historic leader is best known for leading the country through the Civil War and playing a major role in the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans.
Despite his well-documented professional triumphs, it has been argued by historians that the significant leader suffered from crippling, lifelong depression due to his sexuality.
This has been spotlighted in the newly released film, Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln.
Watch the trailer below:The film, directed by Shaun Peterson, details Lincoln's difficult childhood and his tumultuous relationship with his father.
It also explores the late leader's relationships with several men over the years, most notably Joshua Speed, whom he met in 1837. At the time, Lincoln was an attorney in his late 20s to early 30s.
The pair reportedly shared lodgings and a bed for four years until Speed was called back to his family's home in Kentucky, devastating the lawyer and leading to depression.
Several experts and scholars were featured in the film to give their perspectives. In addition to this, viewers have the chance to see letters and never-before-seen pictures that discuss the heavily debated topic: Was Lincoln gay or at least bisexual?
According to PEOPLE magazine, one expert alleged that Lincoln's close friends took away his shaving tools, and put him on suicide watch after Speed left.
Another claimed that the months after the president's alleged lover's departure was "the period of [the late president's] darkest depression," per the publication.
"Then Lincoln goes into a suicidal depression," the outlet also cited. "They established a kind of suicide watch. His friends removed his razor kit and any other sharp objects, like a knife. And he wrote to his law partner that 'I am the most miserable man living.'"
The documentary also included the heartwrenching letter Lincoln wrote to his law partner, John Stuart, which read: "I am the most miserable man living. If what I am feeling were distributed to the whole human family, there would not be a cheerful face on the earth.
"That I shall ever be better, I cannot tell. I awfully forbode I shall not. Now, to remain as I am is impossible. I must die, or be better, it appears to me," he declared.
As we all know, Lincoln ended up marrying Mary Todd Lincoln in 1842 and had four sons with her: Robert Todd Lincoln, Edward Baker Lincoln, William Wallace Lincoln, and Thomas Lincoln.
On April 14, 1865, Lincoln was attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., with his wife when he was fatally shot by John Wilkes Booth.
Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln is in theaters on September 6.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
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