William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879) was one of the leading figures during the abolitionist movement. He sought the “immediate and complete” freedom of all slaves. Garrison was a very bright child and a quick learner. When he was twelve, he began apprenticing as a printer and later became editor of his own newspaper, the Liberator. The newspaper was his outlet for anti-slavery sentiment. After gaining national recognition, Garrison helped found the New England Anti-Slavery Society and the American Anti-Slavery Society. These societies gave him the resources he needed to further his goal of equality among the races.

Throughout his time as an abolitionist, Garrison faced violent resistance. While attending a meeting, a violent mob broke in and took Garrison. A rope was tied around his neck and he was dragged to Boston Common to be hung. Luckily, the mayor broke the mob up and saved Garrison’s life. He was also found guilty of libel and put in jail for seven weeks for not being able to pay his fine, when he accused a ship owner of participating in domestic slavery. Later, the state of Georgia put out a 5,000 dollar reward for his arrest. Garrison made many enemies.

Garrison’s views were radical. At one meeting, he burned a copy of the United States Constitution. In his eyes, the foundation of America allowed slavery to ruin the lives of millions. He also encouraged the North to secede from the Union. In his opinion, if the North seceded and did not give military assistance for the South, the slaves would rise up and take their freedom. Garrison also believed in the merging of the various civil rights movements. He believed women deserved equality as much as slaves did. This lost him supporters, but he did not care. Even though Garrison was radical and did not condemn violence, he was a pacifist. After the Civil War and the addition of the Thirteenth Amendment, Garrison retired from leading the American Anti-Slavery Society and focused his time on helping the newly freed African Americans find equality.

By: Jessica McKenzie

Credits and Sources:

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections. “William Lloyd Garrison.” Cornell University Library. Accessed September 12, 2016. http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/abolitionism/abolitionists/Garrison.htm

Horton, James Oliver and Lois Horton. Black Bostonians: Family Life and Community Struggle in the Antebellum North. New York, NY: Holmes & Meier Publishers, Inc., 1979.

William Lloyd Garrison Papers. Massachusetts Historical Society. Accessed September 12, 2016. http://www.masshist.org/collection-guides/view/fa0278

Williford, James. “The Agitator: William Lloyd Garrison and the Abolitionists.” Humanities 34, no. 1 (January/February 2013). Accessed September 12, 2016. http://www.neh.gov/humanities/2013/januaryfebruary/feature/the-agitator