Literature Trail

William Lloyd Garrison
Newburyport native William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879) was among the country's most ardent abolitionists, and spent his life working toward the emancipation of slaves, women's suffrage, and civil rights. He published the radical abolitionist Boston newspaper The Liberator, whose influence far exceeded its circulation, every week from 1831 until 1865. Through The Liberator, he was an uncompromising advocate of "immediate and complete emancipation of all slaves," writing passionately in the first issue:

I determined, at every hazard, to lift up the standard of emancipation in the eyes of the nation... That standard is now unfurled; and long may it float, unhurt by the spoliations of time or the missiles of a desperate foe--yea, till every chain be broken, and every bondman set free! Let southern oppressors tremble--let their secret abettors tremble--let their northern apologists tremble--let all the enemies of  the persecuted blacks tremble.

William Lloyd Garrison Birthplace
Address: 3 and 5 School Street, Newburyport (closed to the public; plaque)

William Lloyd Garrison Statue
Address: Garrison Square (Green and Pleasant Streets), Newburyport

Newburyport Public Library
Address: 94 State Street, Newburyport
Phone: 978-465-4428
Website:  www.newburyportpl.org
(The library contains works by Garrison.)

Historical Society of Old Newbury
Address: 98 High Street, Newburyport
Phone: 978-462-2681
Website: www.newburyhist.com
(The Society's collections include works by Garrison.)