Editing Roy Basler (section)

==Biography==
Basler was born in [[St. Louis]] and attended [[Central Methodist College]] in [[Fayette, Missouri]], before receiving his [[PhD]] in American literature at [[Duke University]]. He headed the English departments at [[Ringling College of Art and Design|Ringling College]], [[Florence State Teachers' College]] and [[Peabody College]], and was executive secretary and editor-in-chief of the [[Abraham Lincoln Association]] from 1947 to 1952.  He joined the staff of the [[Library of Congress]] in 1952 and eventually became chief of the manuscript division and held the library's chair in American history. He retired in 1974 and moved to [[Sarasota, Florida]], where he died in 1989.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170815063801/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1219726.html "Roy P. Basler, Retired Aide At Library of Congress, Dies"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'', October 27, 1989.</ref><ref>[https://www.lib.ua.edu/Alabama_Authors/?p=738 "Basler, Roy Prentice, 1906-1989"], University of Alabama Library (accessed 2017-06-08).</ref>

Basler's definitive eight volume collection of Lincoln's writings was published in 1953 and a supplement was released in 1974.  It has been described as "the principal source"<ref>[[Hans L. Trefousse]], [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-09-24-bk-134-story.html "A Most Democratic Voice: ABRAHAM LINCOLN: Speeches and Writings" (review)], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', September 24, 1989.</ref> and "the most invaluable work of all" for Lincoln studies.<ref>[[Herbert Mitgang]], [https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/12/books/after-175-years-they-still-pursue-lincoln.html "After 175 Years, They Still Pursue Lincoln"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', February 12, 1984.</ref>