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| birth_place = [[Urbana, Virginia]] |
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| death_date = May 1, 1888 (aged 67 or 68) |
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| death_place = London, England |
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'''William Gustavus Allen''' (1820–1 May 1888) was an [[African Americans|African-American]] [[academic]], [[abolitionist]], and author. For a time he edited ''The National Watchman,'' an abolitionist newspaper. He was appointed a professor of [[rhetoric]] and [[Ancient Greek literature|Greek]] at [[New-York Central College]], and lectured widely on abolition, equality, and integration. Meeting and falling in love with a white student, Mary King, the couple eventually married in 1853, but decided to immediately leave the United States because of the violent prejudice against their relationship. While for a time he continued to live and lecture in both England and Ireland, and wrote an autobiographical account including of his marriage, which sold well, he and his family eventually fell into obscurity and near-poverty.<ref name=Welbourne>{{Cite encyclopedia |year=2006 |title=Allan William G|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of African American History, 1619-1895 : from the colonial period to the age of Frederick Douglass |publisher=Oxford University Press |last=Welbourne |first=Penny Anne| editor-last=Finkleman |volume=1 |pages=49–50 |isbn=0195167775 |oclc=62430770}}</ref> |
'''William Gustavus Allen''' (ca. 1820–1 May 1888) was an [[African Americans|African-American]] [[academic]], [[abolitionist]], and author. For a time he edited ''The National Watchman,'' an abolitionist newspaper. He was appointed a professor of [[rhetoric]] and [[Ancient Greek literature|Greek]] at [[New-York Central College]], and lectured widely on abolition, equality, and integration. Meeting and falling in love with a white student, Mary King, the couple eventually married in 1853, but decided to immediately leave the United States because of the violent prejudice against their relationship. While for a time he continued to live and lecture in both England and Ireland, and wrote an autobiographical account including of his marriage, which sold well, he and his family eventually fell into obscurity and near-poverty.<ref name=Welbourne>{{Cite encyclopedia |year=2006 |title=Allan William G|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of African American History, 1619-1895 : from the colonial period to the age of Frederick Douglass |publisher=Oxford University Press |last=Welbourne |first=Penny Anne| editor-last=Finkleman |volume=1 |pages=49–50 |isbn=0195167775 |oclc=62430770}}</ref> |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Allen was born free to a free mixed-race mother and a white father in Virginia, who died early in Allen's life; as he himself noted, his ancestry was 75% white and 25% black;<ref name=Prejudice>{{cite book |
Allen was born free around 1820 in [[Urbana, Virginia]]<ref name=Blackett/>{{rp|1}} to a free mixed-race mother and a white father in Virginia, who died early in Allen's life; as he himself noted, his ancestry was 75% white and 25% black;<ref name=Prejudice>{{cite book |
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|title=The American Prejudice against Color; an authentic narrative, showing how easily the nation got into an uproar |
|title=The American Prejudice against Color; an authentic narrative, showing how easily the nation got into an uproar |
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|first=William G. |
|first=William G. |
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|location=Dublin |
|location=Dublin |
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|publisher=The author |
|publisher=The author |
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|others=(Reprinted in ''The American Prejudice Against Color: William G. Allen, Mary King, Louisa May Alcott''.)}}</ref>{{rp|5}} He had access to libraries<ref name=Blackett/>{{rp| |
|others=(Reprinted in ''The American Prejudice Against Color: William G. Allen, Mary King, Louisa May Alcott''.)}}</ref>{{rp|5}} |
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Allen was raised by his parents in Norfolk where he attended a school for African American children for two years. The school was closed down due to the [[Nat Turner's slave rebellion]]. Once he was adopted, he was unable to attend a school in Fort Monroe, but he received some education through Federal soldiers, including some French and German language. He had access to libraries<ref name=Blackett/>{{rp|1–5}} and was to some degree self-educated, but took advantage of the few educational opportunities available to a black boy. A teacher recommended him to [[Gerrit Smith]], a wealthy [[abolitionism in the United States|abolitionist]], whose help made it possible for Allen to attend the [[Oneida Institute]]. At Oneida, like most college students at the time, he received what in the 20th century would be called ministerial training: Hebrew, Biblical Greek, theology, and philosophy, with small amounts of science, algebra, and public speaking (declamation). During the summer of 1841 he "taught in a school for [[fugitive slaves]] in Canada"<ref name=Elbert/>{{rp|23}} (see [[Hiram Wilson]]). |
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Oneida was at the time the only multiracial college in the country, and it was a "hotbed of abolitionist activity". Allen graduated in 1844<ref name=Prejudice/>{{rp|3}}<ref name=Blackett>{{cite article |
Oneida was at the time the only multiracial college in the country, and it was a "hotbed of abolitionist activity". Allen graduated in 1844<ref name=Prejudice/>{{rp|3}}<ref name=Blackett>{{cite article |
Revision as of 03:55, 22 April 2020
William Gustavus Allen | |
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Born | ca. 1820 |
Died | May 1, 1888 (aged 67 or 68) London, England |
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | Teacher, professor, lecturer |
Known for | Lecturing on abolition and related topics |
Spouse | Mary King |
Children | Seven |
Academic background | |
Education | Undergraduate degree, 1843 |
Alma mater | Oneida Institute |
Academic work | |
Discipline | Languages, rhetoric |
Institutions | New-York Central College |
Main interests | Abolition of slavery; African civilization |
William Gustavus Allen (ca. 1820–1 May 1888) was an African-American academic, abolitionist, and author. For a time he edited The National Watchman, an abolitionist newspaper. He was appointed a professor of rhetoric and Greek at New-York Central College, and lectured widely on abolition, equality, and integration. Meeting and falling in love with a white student, Mary King, the couple eventually married in 1853, but decided to immediately leave the United States because of the violent prejudice against their relationship. While for a time he continued to live and lecture in both England and Ireland, and wrote an autobiographical account including of his marriage, which sold well, he and his family eventually fell into obscurity and near-poverty.[1]
Early life
Allen was born free around 1820 in Urbana, Virginia[2]: 1 to a free mixed-race mother and a white father in Virginia, who died early in Allen's life; as he himself noted, his ancestry was 75% white and 25% black;[3]: 3 nevertheless, under Virginia law he was black ("colored"). Allen was adopted by a free black couple who owned "a flourishing business" at Fort Monroe, Virginia.[4]: 5
Allen was raised by his parents in Norfolk where he attended a school for African American children for two years. The school was closed down due to the Nat Turner's slave rebellion. Once he was adopted, he was unable to attend a school in Fort Monroe, but he received some education through Federal soldiers, including some French and German language. He had access to libraries[2]: 1–5 and was to some degree self-educated, but took advantage of the few educational opportunities available to a black boy. A teacher recommended him to Gerrit Smith, a wealthy abolitionist, whose help made it possible for Allen to attend the Oneida Institute. At Oneida, like most college students at the time, he received what in the 20th century would be called ministerial training: Hebrew, Biblical Greek, theology, and philosophy, with small amounts of science, algebra, and public speaking (declamation). During the summer of 1841 he "taught in a school for fugitive slaves in Canada"[5]: 23 (see Hiram Wilson).
Oneida was at the time the only multiracial college in the country, and it was a "hotbed of abolitionist activity". Allen graduated in 1844[3]: 3 [2]: 40 and had "fond memories" of it.[5] : 9 He settled in Troy, New York, where he was active in a black suffrage organization.[6] He edited and published the abolitionist newspaper National Watchman, in which "the selections and editorials show that he [Allen] is a man of sense, education, and good temper".[7] When the newspaper ceased publication in 1847,[8] Allen moved to Boston, working as a clerk at a law firm run by the abolitionist lawyer Ellis Gray Loring.[9] In Boston, Allen lectured on racial equality, abolitionism, and argued for "amalgamation", or the social integration of the races in America. Newspaper reports on his lectures were uniformly positive; for example, the Syracuse Daily Standard reported on April 19, 1851, of the lecture of "a colored gentleman, of brilliant talents, and education", and that Allen's lecture "was one of the best ever delivered in this city".[10] While working under Loring, in 1850 Allen was appointed professor of Greek and Rhetoric at New-York Central College (NYCC) in McGraw, New York.[11][12][13] (In 1852 he described himself as Professor of Greek and German languages, Rhetoric and Belles Letters [sic].[14]) New-York Central College was the first to employ African-American professors (three) for teaching white students; Allen was the second. When Uncle Tom's Cabin was published in 1852, Allen reviewed it, saying "its descriptions stir the blood" and "indeed almost make it leap out of the heart".[15] However, he regretted "that the chapter favoring colonization was ever written".[16]
Marriage to Mary King
While visiting Fulton, New York, for a series of lectures in spring 1851, Allen spent an evening at the home of the abolitionist Reverend Lyndon King,[9]: 31 who Allen called one of "earth's noble spirits".[16] Here Allen met King's daughter Mary, who was beginning a term at New-York Central College. They quickly formed a relationship, which Allen described as "much more significant than that of teacher and pupil."[3]: 5 In January 1853 the two became engaged.[3]: 6 Her father "at once gave his consent", and her sister "warmly approved". Her brothers, of whom there were many, and Mary's stepmother were bitterly opposed.[3]: 13 Rev. King felt himself obliged to bar Allen from the household, but he still drove Mary to meet Allen's arrival by train.[3]: 28
One supportive couple, the Porters, who had also been students at New-York Central College,[3]: 22 lived in nearby Phillipsville. While Allen and Mary were visiting, a mob of 600 formed around the Porters' house, seeking to lynch him.[4]: 17–18 A group within the mob, hoping to calm anger, negotiated with Allen, King, and the Porters, and King was escorted to her parents' house. Allen after being escorted to the village hotel, was able with difficulty to escape for Syracuse. Allen traveled by sleigh to Syracuse, and stayed at the Globe Hotel for around a week; Mary took several days to elude her parents, and secretly met with Allen at a trusted friend's house.[9]: 33
Mary traveled to Pennsylvania, telling her parents she intended to teach school there, and wrote letters to Allen stating she intended to join him. By arrangement, they married in New York City on March 30, 1853, and traveled to Boston, where they sailed to Liverpool, England,[9]: 38 never to return.
Porter lost his teaching job,[3]: 61 and then lost his next job "when it was discovered that he was 'the Phillipsville School-Master'".[15]: 27
Exile in England
Allen traveled across the United Kingdom, moving to Dublin in 1856, where he had four children with Mary.[17][better source needed] In 1860, they moved back to England. He attempted to make a living through his lectures.[18] A newspaper in Liverpool, calling it "a real intellectual treat", published the following summary of Allen's lecture on "The origin, history, characteristics, condition, and probable destiny of the African race":
Professor Allen then proceeded with his lecture, and from the eloquence and learning which he displayed in dealing with the subject appeared to take the audience completely by surprise. He took a Scriptural view of the origin of the Ethiopians, Egyptians, and other races of ancient Africa, arguing that they were descended from the four sons of Ham; and showed from classic authority the high civilisation to which they had attained when Greece was yet barbarous, and before Rome arose. Herodotus had spoken of the Ethiopians as remarkable for their stature, longevity, and physical beauty; and although in the eyes of the white man they were not remarkable for the latter quality at present, the influence of adverse circumstances and of centuries of oppression should be taken into account. There was scarcely a race, he showed, on the face of the earth, which had not declined in intellectual power and physical beauty under the same influences, and in the mediæval ages, when Englishmen were sold as slaves, they were described by their purchasers, the Irishmen and Romans, as ugly and stupid. The lecturer then dwelt more particularly upon the leading characteristics of the African race, their religious tendency, and the predominance of the moral over the intellectual in their character—the affeetionateness of their disposition, their love of humour, &c. He gave many weighty hits at Anglo-Saxon civilisation, which told well with the audience, who appeared very much delighted. He was listened to with deep attention, and loudly applauded.[19]
A newspaper announcement shows him lecturing in Belfast on "Origin, History, and Literature of the African Race" and "American Slavery, the present aspects of the Anti-Slavery Cause, and our duty in relation thereto."[20]
However, the couple was often close to poverty. In 1863, Allen became director of the New Caledonian Trading School in Islington, a school for the poor, the first African-American to direct an English school. However, in five years, finances and "racism of his competitors" forced him out. Mary started a small school for girls, which failed.[15]: 28 In 1871 they were living in Islington with six children; William's profession is listed as Professor of Music.[17] By 1878, they were living in a boarding house in West London, where they survived largely on the charity of friends,[9]: 39 especially Gerrit Smith. William died at St Mary's Hospital in London on May 1, 1888. His death certificate gives his occupation as teacher of languages, and lists nephritis and enlarged prostate as the causes of death.
The relationship between Allen and Mary King was the basis of Louisa May Alcott's 1863 story M.L.[9]: 20
Allen's published writings
- Allen, William G. (1860). A Short Personal Narrative. Dublin: "Sold by the author.".
- Allen, William G., "a refugee from American despotism" (1853). The American Prejudice Against Color: An Authentic Narrative, Showing How Easily the Nation Got into an Uproar. London.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Allen, William G. (June 20, 1853). "Letter from Prof. Wm. G. Allen [to Wm. Lloyd Garrison]". The Liberator. p. 4 – via newspapers.com.
- Allen, William G. (February 18, 1853). "To the Public". The Liberator. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
- Allen, William G. (October 25, 1852). "Letter from Prof. Wm. G. Allen". The Liberator (reprinted from Frederick Douglass' Paper). p. 2 – via newspapers.com.
- Allen, William G. (May 20, 1852). "Review of Uncle Tom's Cabin". Frederick Douglass' Paper. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
- Allen, William G. (January 9, 1852). "Letter from Prof. Wm. G. Allen [on Kossuth]". The Liberator (reprinted from Frederick Douglass' Paper). p. 1 – via newspapers.com.
- Allen, William G. (1970) [1849]. Wheatley, Banneker and Horton. With selections from the poetical works of Wheatley and Horton, and the letter of Washington to Wheatley, and of Jefferson to Banneker. Freeport, New York: Books for Libraries Press. ISBN 0836986571.
Studies of Allen
- McClish, Glen (2005). "William G. Allen's 'Orators and Oratory': Inventional Amalgamation, Pathos, and the Characterization of Violence in African-American Abolitionist Rhetoric". Rhetoric Society Quarterly. 35 (1). JSTOR 40232452.
- Elbert, Sarah (2002). "An Inter‐Racial Love Story in Fact and Fiction: William and Mary King Allen's Marriage and Louisa May Alcott's Tale, 'M.L.'". History Workshop Journal. 53 (1). doi:10.1093/hwj/53.1.17. JSTOR 4289772.
- Template:Cite article
- Template:Cite article
- "The Fruits of Abolition". Warrick Democrat (Newburgh, Indiana). May 7, 1853. p. 2.
- Reprinted from Syracuse Star (February 11, 1853). "Another Rescue". The Liberator. p. 2.
References
- ^ Welbourne, Penny Anne (2006). "Allan William G". In Finkleman (ed.). Encyclopedia of African American History, 1619-1895 : from the colonial period to the age of Frederick Douglass. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. pp. 49–50. ISBN 0195167775. OCLC 62430770.
- ^ a b c Template:Cite article
- ^ a b c d e f g h Allen, William G. (1853). The American Prejudice against Color; an authentic narrative, showing how easily the nation got into an uproar. London: W. and F. G. Cash.
- ^ a b Allen, William G. (1860). A Short Personal Narrative. (Reprinted in The American Prejudice Against Color: William G. Allen, Mary King, Louisa May Alcott.). Dublin: The author.
- ^ a b Elbert, Sarah, ed. (2002). "Introduction". The American Prejudice against Color. William G. Allen, Mary King, Louisa May Alcott. Boston: Northeastern University Press. pp. 1–34. ISBN 1555535453.
- ^ "A Sufrage [sic] Meeting". Lansingburgh Democrat and Rensselaer County Gazette (Lansingburgh, New York). March 14, 1846. p. 2.
- ^ "Our Exchanges". The National Era (Washington, D.C.). June 24, 1847. p. 2 – via accessible-archives.com.
- ^ Template:Cite article
- ^ a b c d e f Elbert, Sarah (2002). "An Inter‐Racial Love Story in Fact and Fiction: William and Mary King Allen's Marriage and Louisa May Alcott's Tale, 'M.L.'". History Workshop Journal. 53 (1). doi:10.1093/hwj/53.1.17. JSTOR 4289772.
- ^ Parks, Marlene K. (July 11, 2017). New York Central College [Volume 2] 1849--1860 McGrawville, New York. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 1548505757.
- ^ "City Intelligence". Evening Post (New York, New York). December 14, 1850. p. 2.
- ^ "A Rare Chance!". Richmond Enquirer (Richmond, Virginia) (reprinted from the Lynchburg Republican). December 31, 1850. p. 4.
- ^ "Professor of Greek and Rhetoric". Pittsburgh Gazette. January 17, 1851. p. 2.
- ^ "New York Central College". The Anti-Slavery Bugle (Lisbon, Ohio). August 26, 1854. p. 3.
- ^ a b c Elbert, Sarah (2002). "Introduction". The American Prejudice Against Color: William G. Allen, Mary King, Louisa May Alcott. Northeastern University Press. p. 1. ISBN 1555535453.
- ^ a b Allen, William G. (May 20, 1852). "Review of Uncle Tom's Cabin". Frederick Douglass' Paper. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
- ^ a b "1871 Census England".
- ^ "Anti-Slavery Meeting". Manchester Weekly Times and Examiner (Manchester, England). Nov 1, 1854. p. 5.
- ^ "The African Race. Lecture". Liverpool Mercury (Liverpool, England). August 26, 1857. p. 4.
- ^ "Lectures on the African Race and American Slavery". Belfast News-Letter. June 20, 1855. p. 3.