Final answer:
A biography of Abraham Lincoln omitting his assassination would likely be critically evaluated today for providing an incomplete and potentially misleading account of his life and legacy. This is because Lincoln's assassination is a significant event in American history and failing to mention it would leave the readers with an incomplete understanding.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the d'Aulaires' biography written in the 1950s excluded the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, it would today likely be critically evaluated for this major omission. Abraham Lincoln's assassination was a pivotal moment in American history, marking both the end of a significant presidency and creating a climate of fear and anxiety in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. By omitting this, the d'Aulaires would have failed to provide a comprehensive and accurate representation of Lincoln's life and legacy.
This evaluation would be similar to how the Rockefeller Foundation assessed the Lynds' study they commissioned as 'useless' because it didn't live up to their expectations. It's important that biographies and historical works provide an accurate account of events, including those that may be tragic or controversial, such as Lincoln's assassination. Hence, any biography omitting such significant events would be considered incomplete and potentially misleading.
Learn more about Abraham Lincoln's assassination