Courage and Conscience: Black and White Abolitionists in Boston

by Donald M. Jacobs (Editor)

"Written by first-rate scholars, these 10 essays give focus to the antislavery movement in Boston, particularly to the significance of African American abolitionists." ―Choice

" . . . handsome, lavishly illustrated, and informative . . . " ―The New England Quarterly

" . . . this work is a thoughtful, long overdue discourse on individual and group accomplishments. It is replete with absorbing illustrations, which when accompanied by insightful essays, depict the courage of those who labored for equality in antebellum Boston." ―Journal of the Early Republic

Until recently little was known of the contributions of African Americans in the antebellum abolition movement. Massachusetts, having granted voting rights early on to black males, was a center of antislavery agitation. Courage and Conscience documents the black activism in 19th-century Boston that was critical to the success of the abolitionist cause.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprising, little-known history of African Americans in Boston during the pre-Civil War era, and the abolitionist movement. Massachusetts was one of the handful of states where African American men could vote, there was fierce resistance to the Fugitive Slave Law, and the public schools were (in theory) integrated. Writing is a bit academic, but this is a good source for research.