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Secondary sourceBook1881

William Lloyd Garrison and His Times

Oliver Johnson · 1881

A biography of Garrison written in 1881 by Oliver Johnson, a colleague in the abolitionist movement.

Written by a fellow abolitionist who knew Garrison, this biography preserves firsthand memories of his life and work.

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About this source

What it is

This book, written by Oliver Johnson in 1881, is a biography of William Lloyd Garrison and the anti-slavery movement he led. Johnson knew Garrison personally and worked alongside him, and the book includes an introduction by poet John Greenleaf Whittier.

Why it matters

Because Johnson was an eyewitness to the abolitionist campaign, this book gives firsthand recollections rather than just later research. It shows how Garrison's allies remembered and wanted to preserve his legacy soon after his death in 1879.

Look closer

  • Why might someone who knew Garrison personally write a biography differently than someone writing today?
  • What does the dedication to 'surviving heroes' suggest about the author's purpose?
  • How might this account differ from a more neutral, modern history?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of William Lloyd Garrison on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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