Largely self-educated, Lincoln became a lawyer in Illinois. In 1831, even before he started his self-education, Lincoln wrote his first (at least the first we know of) legal document for a friend in New Salem. In 1834, John Todd Stuart encouraged Abraham Lincoln to study law and even lent him the necessary books. In just a couple of years, Lincoln received the license that allowed him to practice law in all state courts across Illinois. In 1837, Lincoln moved to Springfield to take the place of junior partner at Stuart’s firm. In 1849, he was admitted to practice law in the U.S. Supreme court. All in all, Lincoln practiced law for 25 years.