During his brief yet remarkable career, abolitionist Charles
Torrey -- called the "father of the Underground Railroad" by his
peers -- assisted almost four hundred slaves in gaining their
freedom. A Yale graduate and an ordained minister, Torrey set up a
well-organized route for escaped slaves traveling from Washington
and Baltimore to Philadelphia and Albany. Arrested in Baltimore in
1844 for his activities, Torrey spent two years in prison before he
succumbed to tuberculosis. By then, other abolitionists widely
recognized and celebrated Torrey's exploits: running wagonloads of
slaves northward in the night, dodging slave catchers and sheriffs,
and involving members of Congress in his schemes. Nonetheless, the
historiography of abolitionism has largely overlooked Torrey's
fascinating and compelling story.
The Martyrdom of Abolitionist Charles Torrey presents the first
comprehensive biography of one of America's most dedicated
abolitionists. According to author E. Fuller Torrey, a distant
relative, Charles Torrey pushed the abolitionist movement to become
more political and active. He helped advance the faction that
challenged the leadership of William Lloyd Garrison, provoking an
irreversible schism in the movement and making Torrey and Garrison
bitter enemies. Torrey played an important role in the formation of
the Liberty Party and in the emergence of political abolitionism.
Not satisfied with the slow pace of change, he also pioneered
aggressive abolitionism by personally freeing slaves, likely
liberating more than any other person. In doing so, he inspired
many others, including John Brown, who cited Torrey as one of his
role models.
E. Fuller Torrey's study not only fills a substantial gap in the
history of abolitionism but restores Charles Torrey to his rightful
place as one of the most dedicated and significant abolitionists in
American history.
General
Imprint: |
Louisiana State University Press
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Series: |
Antislavery, Abolition, and the Atlantic World |
Release date: |
November 2013 |
First published: |
November 2013 |
Authors: |
E.Fuller Torrey
|
Dimensions: |
216 x 140 x 23mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Hardcover - Cloth over boards
|
Pages: |
256 |
Edition: |
New |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-8071-5231-7 |
Categories: |
Books >
Social sciences >
General
Books >
Humanities >
History >
General
Books >
History >
General
|
LSN: |
0-8071-5231-5 |
Barcode: |
9780807152317 |
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!