аÄÃÅ¿ª½±½á¹û

Wendell Phillips, William Lloyd Garrison and George Thompson Photo by Boston Public Library –

Top 10 Facts about William Lloyd Garrison.

William Lloyd Garrison was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts in 1805.

His family was not wealthy. During that period in America’s history, families preferred to have their children working for much-needed wages than attend school.

Garrison’s childhood was mostly spent on the factory floor. His apprenticeship was in printing and publishing, he started at 13 and for the next 7 years gained an all-around grasp of the industry.

In 1818, after suffering through various apprenticeships, Garrison began work for the Newburyport Herald as a writer and editor.

This job and subsequent newspaper jobs would give the young Garrison the skills he would utilize so expertly when he later published his own paper.

 Here is a look at 10 facts about William Lloyd Garrison.

1. William L Garrison was an Antislavery Crusader.

Photo by Billy Hathom –

William Lloyd Garrison was a notable influence in the fight against slavery in the United States.

For over three decades he edited a radical newspaper called The Liberator that voiced the opinions of the abolitionist movement and other liberal causes.

At its peak, it had a circulation of over 3000 per publication. Two-thirds of the subscribers were black people. 

Further, its circulation was boosted by anonymous benefactors who paid for legislators to get a free weekly copy.

The papers’ black and white stand on slavery made him an automatic founder of the New England Anti-Slavery Society.

He was clear that the American Constitution was a pro-slavery document that needed to be worked on.

He was fortunate to witness the abolition of slavery.

2. William L Garrison was an Equality Crusader.

His deep conviction on the issues of slavery went hand in hand with his belief in the equality of all humans regardless of race.

In his speaking engagements, he pleaded for the unconditional release of all slaves.

This made him unpopular because in the early 19^th century even those who supported emancipation wanted it done in phases.

The biggest concern was where would all the freed slaves go?

Garrison held the view that all the black slaves would be assimilated into the American society and were entitled to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness as their fellow white citizens.

3. Garrison Believed in Active Non-violence.

Photo by Internet Archive Book Images –

That Garrison was a radical abolitionist is not a secret. His mitigation on behalf of black slaves was powerful and vocal.

He was dedicated to the immediate release of all slaves and was not willing to compromise on that point.

His paper The liberator, even though it had a limited subscription still elevated him to a foremost antislavery activist.

The most notable thing was, although he was robust in his arguments and engagements his approach was on Non-violence and passive resistance.

4. William L Garrison was Sued for Libel.

Garrison in his ever alert style created a column in his publication called The Black List which reported infractions against black slaves.

It was to expose the abuse of slaves by whippings, hangings, kidnappings and murders.

Through investigative journalism, Garrison put out an article about how Francis Todd, a shipping merchant, moved a group of slaves from one state to the other.

Instead of being congratulated for the expose, Mr Todd sued him and the pro-slavery court system awarded him a $50 fine.

Garrison refused to pay leading to his incarceration for six months and was only released after a fellow abolitionist Arthur Tappan bailed him out.

5. Garrison had Irreconcilable Differences with Fredrick Douglas.

Courtesy of

Fredrick Douglas was a slave born of a black slave mother to an unknown white man.

He gave speeches on his life experience as a slave and grew into a leading spokesperson for anti-slavery and racial equality.

Garrison met Fredrick in 1841 and became his mentor. In the initial stages, Douglas was on board with Garrison’s approach to emancipation.

While Garrison agreed to the decision not to include political parties, religious organizations in the abolitionist space; Fredrick even agreed to the highly controversial calls by Garrison for the dissolution of the constitution and the union.

Garrison felt betrayed and resorted to attacking Douglas through his paper to which he responded. The war of words further broke down the relationship of the comrades for a very long time.

6. The Liberator was Published Weekly for 35 years Without Fail.

William Garrison tells the history of his newspaper The Liberator and asks for donations or help to get more subscriptions. Photo by Deisenbe-

Realizing the huge potential that the printed press had in influencing policy, opinions and perceptions, Garrison teamed up with a friend Isaac Knaap.

They co-founded a weekly Anti-Slavery newspaper in 1831 which they christened The Liberator.

It delved into other issues like the suffragist agenda but its main target was to be a thorn in the skin of slave owners and their supporters.

Despite the departure of Knapp, the publication continued and never missed an issue in its 35-year life span.

When President Lincoln gave a decree: the Emancipation Proclamation which freed all slaves Garrison considered the mission of The Liberator successful and folded it.

7. Pro-slavery Activists Put a Bounty on Garrison’s Head.

Photo by Internet Archive Book Images –

In the southern states of America, slavery was a way of life and the white population viewed it as a God-given right.

William Garrison in collaboration with fellow anti-slavery movement members ensured that the message was clear on the immorality of slave-owning.

They further highlighted inhuman treatment and brought it to light.

These efforts though noble earned him powerful and often wealthy enemies. His mail and anti-slavery materials were burnt.

In addition, they laid siege in halls as he was giving lectures chanting profanities. People burnt Garrisson’s effigies in public.

They targeted his publishing house for arson. The mayor of Boston at one time saved him from a crowd that wanted to lynch him.

There are many instances where he had to go to exile to save his skin.  Garrison was a threat to slave owners who undoubtedly wished him harm.

8. William L Garrison Supported Women Empowerment.

Photo by Albert Southworth –

Garrison believed that to amplify the voice in the anti-slavery space there was the need to include women activists.

This was a controversial position to adopt because in 19^th century America even his fellow abolitionists were not sure.

He actively supported the women’s calls for anti-slavery but also petitioned for their inclusion in the political space.

 In 1837, the Grimke sisters Angelina and Sarah wrote a paper in response to the controversy raised by women’s involvement in politics and other movements.

The paper was titled Letters of the Equality of Sexes and Condition of Woman which Garrison published in The Liberator.

He came under immense pressure to retract his support for the women he responded by hiring women as field agents of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Movement.

Garrison supported the inclusion of women in the anti-slavery movement. However, his support of women made other anti-slavery luminaries including Arthur Tappan shun him.

William Garrison also worked at the  National Woman’s Rights Central Committee. He was in charge of fundraising,  programmes and meetings.

9. Garrison Burnt a Copy of the American Constitution.

Image by from

Garrison was known to be radical but on emancipation, he preferred moral persuasion and passive resistance.

He was pro immediate emancipation while the other abolitionists were for gradual emancipation which created a rift.

Additionally, he believed the U.S constitution propagated slavery because of a compromise written into it.

On 4^th July 1854 while referring to the Constitution as “A Covenant with Death, an Agreement with Hell “he publicly set a copy on fire.

10. Garrison was a skilled Mobilizer and Organizer.

Photo by David –

The period in which he was operating and the cause he chose to pursue were a testament to his resilience and drive.

In the early 19^th century, it was normal for white people to own slaves. Being white, he refused to conform and spoke out at the expense of his security. 

In 1832, Garrison started the New England Anti-Slavery Society. In the following year, he formed the American Anti-Slavery Society together with 10 other affiliates.

He supported the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society. The main aim of the society was to prick the conscience of Americans by painting slavery as a sin for which they were duty-bound to fight.

William Llyod Garrison was the epitome of courage. Just like his newspaper, he was a liberator.

His unwavering focus on abolishing slavery cost him friends but his intentions were noble. Ignoring bounties on his head loudly expressed his disgust in the reality of humans owning humans.

He was radical in his demands e.g. dissolution of the Union but graciously celebrated the end of slavery even though it was by presidential decree.

His faith in the inequality of the races was sincere.