William Lloyd Garrison was born in 1805 in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He is known today as one of the first ardenant abolitionists. He began as an editor to a temperence paper in Boston entitled, National Philanthropist. Garrison then moved his primary cause from temperance to abolition. In 1831 he began a small, but powerful abolitionist newspaper called the Liberator. In addition to using writing as a method of propaganda, Garrison also created the first abolitionist group in favor of immediate abolition rather than gradual. This group, The New England Anti-Slavery Society was established in 1832. Garrison's voice was also heard loudly in the American Anti-Slavery Society. After months of debate in 1833, this society split in two. The split was greatly influenced by Garrison's influence, as he demanded that women have an equal position in the society. His views were seen as quite radical to even his fellow abolitionists. Feeling that political tactics were worthless, Garrison refused to vote and was in favor of Northern separation from the South. He also attacked organized religion, stating that the movements of religious leaders lacked strength. In addition, Garrison was an extreme advocate of non-violent disobedience both on the part of freemen and the enslaved. It is no surprise that his ideas were seen as radical in his time. In spite of his complex views, however, he was valued by his northern countrymen. After the end of slavery in 1865, Garrison stopped the publication of the Liberator and began to work for the causes of temperance and women suffrage. Both causes he persued until his death in 1879.
Liberator Text (January 1, 1831)
An early copy of The Liberator
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