(1838–1865), another son of Junius, was also born near Bel Air, Maryland. As a youth he was known for his erratic and extravagant actions. He longed for fame, and once said that a man must bring down a giant to become famous. He made his stage debut at 17 and within a few years had received national recognition. He was, however, less successful than his father and brother.

In contrast to the others in his family. Booth held fanatical proslavery views and sympathized with the South. In the winter of 1864, he helped organize a conspiracy to kidnap Lincoln. The plan failed because Lincoln did not appear at the expected place on the day set for the kidnapping (March 20, 1865). Booth then decided to assassinate Lincoln.

Booth's chance came on April 14, 1865, when Lincoln attended Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. Booth slipped into the Presidential box and shot Lincoln in the head. He leaped to the stage shouting " Sic semper tyrannis! [Thus always to tyrants.] The South is avenged!" Booth broke his leg but managed to escape with the help of friends. Two weeks later Federal troops and detectives trapped him in a barn. The barn was surrounded and set afire. Booth was shot—or shot himself—and was pulled dying out of the barn. Although it was definitely Booth who was killed, a legend grew up that he escaped and fled west.