While names like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass often dominate the history of the abolitionist movement, William Still remains one of the most vital figures in American history. Often called the "Father of the Underground Railroad," Still was a businessman, historian, and activist who meticulously documented the stories of those seeking freedom.
Biography: A Legacy of Freedom
Born on October 7, 1821, in Burlington County, New Jersey, William Still was the youngest of 18 children.
In 1844, Still moved to Philadelphia, where he began working as a clerk for the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery.
One of the most profound moments of his life occurred when he interviewed an escaped man named Peter, only to realize—through their shared history—that the man was his own long-lost brother who had been left behind in slavery decades earlier.
Did He Know Harriet Tubman?
Yes, absolutely. William Still and Harriet Tubman were close collaborators.
As the head of the Philadelphia Vigilance Committee, Still was a primary point of contact for Tubman. When she led groups of freedom seekers out of the South, they often stopped in Philadelphia, where Still provided them with money, food, clothing, and travel arrangements.
The Bibliography of a Historian
Still’s most significant contribution to American literature and history is his massive compilation of interviews and records.
The Underground Railroad (1872): This seminal work is one of the most important firsthand accounts of the abolitionist movement. Still kept secret records of the people he helped—despite the legal risks posed by the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850—so that families might one day be reunited.
Voting Rights and Social Reform: Beyond his most famous book, Still wrote numerous pamphlets and articles advocating for the civil rights of African Americans in the North, particularly regarding the desegregation of Philadelphia’s streetcars.
Legacy and Impact
William Still’s legacy is preserved through the lives of the hundreds of families he helped reunite. By recording the names, origins, and destinations of freedom seekers, he ensured that their stories were not erased by history.
Notable Quotes
"The records of the Underground Rail Road were kept to enable the fugitives to be identified by their relatives and friends, and to show the world the heroism of the fugitives and the cruelty of the slaveholders."
"I am glad to see that you are not discouraged. We must continue to work, and we shall yet see the end of this great evil."
Sources and Further Reading
The William Still Digital Archive:
Temple University Libraries National Park Service:
William Still’s Biography The Underground Railroad (Full Text):
Project Gutenberg Historical Society of Pennsylvania:
The Vigilance Committee Records
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