William Lloyd Garrison - Boston, MA - Civil Rights Memorials on Waymarking.com

In Boston's Back Bay section, along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall (park), is a statue of William Lloyd Garrison.

In this statue, Garrison is sitting, facing toward Boston Public Garden; his left leg extended forward, and looking slightly to the right. He is dressed well and in a long coat or robe. The chair is a stuffed leather chair. Under the chair is a book and papers.

At the time of visit, there was a burned out candle in a glass jar and other offerings at his feet.

Garrison (1805-1887) was born in Newburyport, MA, and died in New York, NY. He learned the journalism trade as an apprentice for the Newburyport Herald. After he finished his obligations, he partnered with Isaac Knapp and bought their own newspaper, the Free Press, which didn't last long. In 1828, he was editor of the Boston publication, the National Philanthropist, the first to promote legally mandated temperance (abolition of alcohol). By age 25, he joined the abolitionist movement. At first he joined the American Colonization Society, which advocated exporting freed slaves back to Africa. When he became disenfranchised with this organization, he quit it. In Baltimore, he became editor of the Quaker Genius of Universal Emancipation newspaper, which was an abolitionist publication. Later, he moved back to New England and published his own, The Liberator, starting in 1831. In the first issue, he wrote an editor that includes the words on the side of the statue, "I am in earnest – I will not equivocate – I will not excuse – I will not retreat a single inch – and I will be heard." He published this publication until 1865. He founded both the New England Anti-Slavery Society and the American Anti-Slavery Society.

Garrison believe in immediate and total emancipation, and was a very loud voice for this view. This, understandably, got him in controversy wherever he went, and often was threatened with violence.

After the Civil War, Garrsion continued to champion civil rights efforts, especially rights for African Americans and women. When Charles Sumner, another well known abolitionist, died and left the U.S. Senate seat, Garrison was considered to replace him. However, Garrison refused.

Civil Right Type: Race (includes U.S. Civil Rights movement)

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