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 abolitionist
a world traveler
a homeopathic doctor
a musician & composer
a speaker of numerous languages
an author of over 40 published works on science, health, geology, anthropology, spirituality, paleontology, mysticism, politics, the afterlife, marriage, sex & more
an educator commissioned by the Lincoln administration to establish Freedmen’s Schools
a popular orator regarded as a masterful speaker by the major media of the day
a mystic who predicted the 20th century Louisiana oil boom a century before it occurred
founding leader of American branches of an international esoteric society of powerful men
lauded by presidents, senators & prominent men for his intellect & community service

Author Biography

D. Amari Jackson is a creator, TV/web/film producer, ghost writer, songwriter, and award-winning journalist. He is author of the middle grade novel, Jelani’s Key (AALBC Book for Young Readers, August 29, 2023) and the 2011 novel The Savion Sequence. Jackson is also the creator/writer/coproducer of the 2012-2014 web series The Book Look; writer/coproducer of the 2016 film Edge of the Pier; writer of the upcoming documentary Global Assignment: The Life and Times of Dr. Runoko Rashidi; and Senior Writer for BlackArtinAmerica.com. A father, grandfather, and longtime martial artist, Amari lives in the Atlanta area.