William Lloyd Garrison Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

William Lloyd Garrison was born on December 10th, in 1805. He was a celebrated American abolitionist, suffragist, social reformer and a journalist. He is best remembered for leading an abolitionist campaign that would see to it that slavery in the United States is abolished.

Early Life

William Lloyd Garrison was born on December 10th, in 1805. His birthplace was in Newburyport, Massachusetts. His father, Abijah Garrison was an immigrant from New Brunswick (present-day Canada).  Abijah worked as a sailing pilot.

After the American commercial shipping business collapsed, his father had no form of employment. As a result, he deserted his family leaving Garrison to be raised by his mother, Frances Maria Lloyd. His mother was strict when it came to matters of religion. She breathed last in 1823.

Early Career

With the financial challenges facing his family, young William Lloyd Garrison sold candy and lemonade to support his mother. Later, in 1813, he learnt how to write for the Newburyport Herald newspaper. Sooner or later, Garrison was doing well in writing and as a result, published articles under the pen name, Aristides.

Moments later, he joined forces with Isaac Knapp, a painter, to come up with their newspaper called Free Press. However, this paper did not last long in the market.

In 1828, he earned himself a job with the National Philanthropist as an editor.

Later Career

During the same year, William Lloyd Garrison met with Benjamin Lundy, Genius of Emancipation’s editor. It came to Garrison’s attention that Lundy was pushing for a worthy cause. After that, Lundy called on Garrison to become the editor of the paper in Vermont. This was the beginning of Garrison’s push for the abolition of slavery.

With time, Garrison became a member of the American Colonization Society. Initially, the group’s perception was that black colored individuals should migrate to Africa. However, Garrison later came to realize that the main idea ought to have been to reduce slavery in the U.S generally.

Afterward, he left the group and established his newspaper that fostered for abolition. He called the paper The Liberator. Shortly after, he formed the New England Antislavery Society in 1832. This was the best way in which his abolitionist movement would achieve its goals.

The following year, he established the American Antislavery Society. His main ambition was to bring an end to slavery in the United States.  Throughout 1840 to 1850s, William Lloyd Garrison continued to fight for the abolition of slavery.

He continued using his newspaper to criticize the United States more so at the onset of civil war in 1861. Four years later when the war came to an end, Garrison’s dream ultimately came true. The 13th Amendment brought an end to slavery in the United States.

Personal Life

William Lloyd Garrison wedded Helen Eliza Benson. He had seven children during his lifetime.

Death

William Lloyd Garrison passed away on May 24th, in 1879. He was 73 years old at the time of his demise.