Mirroring Lincoln

The Mystical Black Genius Time Erased

On the 200th anniversary of his birth, the African American Literature Book Club presents the mystical account of a real-life figure that time erased...

Mirroring Lincoln: The Cursed Existence of Paschal Beverly Randolph explores the persistent rumors of a close relationship between Abraham Lincoln and Paschal Beverly Randolph, a Black mystic advisor, in the final years of Lincoln's life. The narrative weaves historical fact with lore while depicting Randolph's real-life status as a celebrated clairvoyant genius whose significant influence has been largely erased from history. Lauded by President Andrew Johnson for his "very rare and unusual attainments as a scholar and orator," Randolph was known for his metaphysical abilities during a time of war, slavery, and spiritualism. Mirroring Lincoln captures the enigmatic life of Randolph, his murky parallels with America's most beloved president, and the curse that hounded him until his mysterious death in 1875.

At a time when many of his race were still enslaved, the real-life Paschal Beverly Randolph was:
an abolitionista world travelera homeopathic doctora musician & composera speaker of numerous languagesan author of over 40 published works on science, health, geology, anthropology, spirituality, paleontology, mysticism, politics, the afterlife, marriage, sex & morean educator commissioned by the Lincoln administration to establish Freedmen's Schoolsa popular orator regarded as a masterful speaker by the major media of the daya mystic who predicted the 20th century Louisiana oil boom a century before it occurredfounding leader of American branches of an international esoteric society of powerful menlauded by presidents, senators & prominent men for his intellect & community service