Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Levi Coffin (1798-1877)


One of the important names that come out when talking about abolitionism is Levi Coffin. He helped thousands of slaves to escape and was one the leaders of the Underground Railroad network.

His home was often referred to as the "Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad", and he was also assigned the nickname of "President of the Underground Railroad". He is originally from the South, which made him witness slavery. Very young, he manifested his opposition against this practice, and had to move to Indiana not to be prosecuted by slave holders.

In Indiana, he developped a high sense of business, and he soon became wealthy, fact that will be decisive in his action in the underground railroad. Indeed, the money that he gathered from his businesses and investments would be a main source of funding for the survival of the slaves during their escape (clothes, food, etc...). Coffin later moved to Ohio, where he would give shelter to many runaway slaves in his own house, and keep increasing the anti-slavery network in this area. He also opened businesses that produced clothes for slaves. All his life was oriented toward helping against slavery.

During the Civil War, he went around hospitals to provide help to the wonded. Then, he helped the freed slaves who needed shelter and food in the South, as slaveholders would shoot or abandon them. Even after the war, he pursued his action by raising money for former slaves. His dedication for abolitionism was remarkable, and his funeral in 1877 was a good proof of it. Hundreds of African Americans were present, and in 1902, they built a statue of Coffin that they put on his grave in his honnor.

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