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James McCune Smith

1811-1865

Name: James McCune Smith

Occupation/Training: Physician, Speaker, Writer

Residence: New York, Scotland



Abolitionist Involvement: In 1831, Smith emigrated to Scotland, where he enrolled at the University of Glasgow and pursued his studies with fervor. During his five-year stay in Scotland, he helped to found the Glasgow Emancipation Society. He remained an honorary member of that organization after his return to the United States. In 1838, the abolitionist paper 'Herald of Freedom' gave 3/4 of a front page to an address made by Smith at the annual meeting of the Antislavery Society. He was a local correspondent to Frederick Douglas' s paper 'The North Star,' and later to the 'Frederick Douglas's Weekly.' He briefly edited his own paper to fight against what he felt were the patronizing attitudes of many white abolitionists, and to encourage Black self-improvement organizations.





By 1843, Smith had become an active member of the Negro Convention Movement, as well as several national and local abolitionist societies. In 1853, he was among the signers for the call for a convention to discuss equal rights for women, particularly with regard to voting rights. After 1850, he also spoke at meetings of the Special Vigilance Committee, which was formed for the welfare of the families and to assist in paying for the legal defense of the "Christiana Sufferers" after the Christiana, PA riot in defiance of the Fugitive Slave Act.



Place of Death: NY

References: Black Abolitionists, by Benjamin Quarles; Holy Warriors, by James Stewart; Building an Antislavery Wall, by R.J.M. Blackett.

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