Robert Purvis notably impacted the abolition movement of the 1850s. Throughout his life he went to abolishment schools, helped in the the underground railroad and was one of the first to support woman's rights (BlackPast.org). He was a great man in a time it was hard to stand against racism.

Background

Robert Purvis was born August 4, 1810 in Charleston, South Carolina. He was born into a pretty wealthy family. His father was a plantation owner and his mother was a free black woman. When Robert was 9 his father put him into Pennsylvania Abolition Society's Clarkson School (BlackPast.org). Afterwords he furthered his education at Amherst College in Massachusetts (BlackPast.org). In 1831 Robert Purvis married the lovely Harriet Forten who as his mother was a free black woman (ic.galegroup.com)

Legacy

Robert had a major role in the abolition movement and left a legacy with him. He was a part of the underground railroad (BlackPast.org). Also people refered to his home as the "Purvis Safehouse" (BlackPast.org). He also helped establish the Library Company of Colored People in 1833 (BlackPast.org). Robert Purvis was also the president of Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery society between 1845 and 1850 (BlackPast.org). From 1852 to 1857 he chaired the General Vigilance Committee which provided direct assistance to runaway slaves (nps.gov). Not only did e support abolition he also supported woman's rights and prohibition. He was the first vice president of the woman's suffrage society (nps.gov). Sadly on April 15, 1898 Robert Purvis died. He will always be remembered and his legacy lives on today.

Works Cited