WILLIAM G ALLEN
Name: William G. Allen
Birthplace: VA
Status: Born free
Occupation/Training: Educator, Reformer, Writer
Residence: Boston, MA, NY, Ireland, England
Abolitionist Involvement: Allen attended college at the Oneida Institute, a fully integrated school run by abolitionists in upstate New York. While at Central College, two abolitionist weeklies published an address given by Allen entitled 'Orators and Orations'. Following the usual practice of abolitionists, he was for some time active in the temperance movement, and attended organization meetings of the Woman's State Temperance Convention at Rochester, NY in 1852. Upon the announcement of his engagement to be married to a white student at Central College, Allen was confronted by a group of townspeople armed with tar and feathers. The family of his fiance, Mary King, hurried her off for safety to a neighboring city where she was unknown. Their marriage took place on 30 March 1853, and a few days later, the couple sailed for Liverpool with no intention of returning. They were well received in England, and Allen published an account of their treatment entitled 'The American Prejudice Against Color: An Authentic Narrative, Showing How Easily the Nation Got into an Uproar.' Allen was then invited on a speaking tour through England at many abolitionist events. He was characterized as gallant, able, full of integrity and forceful in style. For a time, Allen and his wife lived in Dublin, Ireland, where he taught elocution. Finally in 1860, British admirers in the ranks of reformers were able to purchase the controlling interest of the Caledonia Training School at Islington and installed Allen as headmaster. He and his wife appear to have spent the remainder of their lives in England.
Family: Wife - Mary King
Place of Death: England
Publications: Orators and Orations; The American Prejudice Against Color: An Authentic Narrative, Showing How Easily the Nation Got into an Uproar
References: Black Abolitionists, by Benjamin Quarles; Building an Antislavery Wall, by R.J.M. Blackett
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