William Still: The Underground Railroad and the Angel at Philadelphia

William Still: The Underground Railroad and the Angel at Philadelphia is the first full-length biography of the free Black abolitionist William Still,who coordinated the Eastern Line of the Underground Railroad and was a pillar of the Railroad as a whole. It details his life story, including his escape from bondage, his work with Harriet Tubman, and his role as an early civil rights pioneer. The book also includes a database of the 995 fugitives Still helped escape, which challenges previously accepted interpretations of the Underground Railroad.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2021
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

William Still, a prominent figure in the Underground Railroad movement, emerges as the subject of the first comprehensive biography in this captivating work. Titled William Still: The Underground Railroad and the Angel at Philadelphia, the book delves into the life and legacy of this free Black abolitionist, who played a pivotal role in coordinating the Eastern Line of the Underground Railroad. Based in Philadelphia, Still earned a reputation as a courageous leader, writer, philanthropist, and guide for fugitive enslaved people. This monumental work spans Stills's journey from his parents' escape from bondage in the early nineteenth century to his youth and adulthood as one of the nation's most influential Underground Railroad agents and later as an early civil rights pioneer.

Still's involvement in the anti-slavery movement was profound, as he worked closely with Harriet Tubman, assisted the family of John Brown, helped Browns associates escape from Harpers Ferry following their famous raid, and rivaled Frederick Douglass among nationally prominent African American abolitionists. His life story is intricately woven within the broader context of the anti-slavery movement, Philadelphia Quaker and free black history, and the generational conflict that occurred between Still and a younger group of free black activists led by Octavius Catto.

A distinctive feature of this book is an accessible and comprehensive database of the 995 fugitives Still helped escape from the South to the North and Canada between 1853 and 1861. Compiled with meticulous detail, the database encompasses twenty different fields, including name, age, gender, skin color, date of escape, place of origin, mode of transportation, and literacy. This invaluable resource serves as a treasure trove for scholars, offering a wealth of new information and perspectives on runaway enslaved people who sought freedom on the Eastern Line of the Underground Railroad.

Through the lens of William Still's remarkable life and contributions, this biography sheds light on the complex and multifaceted world of the Underground Railroad, highlighting the bravery, resilience, and unwavering commitment of individuals who risked their lives to abolish slavery. It also underscores the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality, reminding us of the importance of remembering and honoring the heroes of our past who paved the way for a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Weight: 938g
Dimension: 189 x 261 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268200367