The Resume

(October 7, 1821-July 14, 1902)
Born in Shamong, New Jersey
Abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor
Aided and assisted over 600 slaves North to freedom
Published ‘The Underground Railroad Records’ in 1872

Why he might be annoying:

He had a rivalry with Frederick Douglass.
For generations, he was even overshadowed by white abolitionist counterparts of his, such as William Lloyd Garrison or Wendell Phillips.
Before the Civil War, he destroyed many of his records pertaining to the slaves he helped for legal reasons.
He helped John Brown’s associates escape from Harper’s Ferry after their 1859 raid (which, for better or worse, was still terrorism that killed over twenty people).

Why he might not be annoying:

His parents were both slaves (his father bought his freedom, but his mother escaped and had to leave one of her children behind).
Forty years later, he would help the brother his mother left behind escape from slavery.
He helped to establish an orphanage and the first YMCA for African Americans in Philadelphia.
In addition to his activism, he also purchased real estate, opened a store selling stoves, and later founded a successful coal business.
Harriet Tubman traveled through his office with fugitive slaves she was aiding throughout the 1850’s.
In his obituary, the New York Times pronounced him ‘The Father of the Underground Railroad.’
He had been portrayed by Leslie Odom Jr. and Ron O'Neal.

Credit: BoyWithTheGreenHair

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• BoyWiththeGreenHair’s Profiles [Series 26]
• Civil Rights Activists
• I am from Philadelphia
• I Died in 1902 (Ranked: 80)
• Look at My Book Cover
• Profiles 57751-58000 (Ranked: 57815)
• Served in the American Civil War [1861-65]
• Stand Up Men

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying