Unsung Americans

The following four people were all from the the 1800's and were very influencial in shaping social views of America. These people are not always recognized for their works so I decided to take a moment to recognize what they have contributed toawrds social reform.


Harriet Beecher Stowe was the writer of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. She criticized the American Social classes. Mainly she inspired anti-slavery movements. It was successful for driving anti-slavery forces during the civil war. She was an interesting figure because she spelled out for people the thoughts of anti-slavery. She was so obsessed she wrote of 20 books in her lifetime. The lasting impact Stowe had been her anti-slavery ideals.


Elijah Lovejoy was a Presbyterian minister and abolitionist. He wanted to put an end to slavery. He was also a journalist and printed a newspaper preaching about abolitionism. He was successful because he was noticed, by both supporters and non supporters. His printing warehouse had been destroyed three times in his lifetime by pro-slavery radicals. He was so obsessed with the idea that he moved his press to Illinois, a free state, so he could freely print his newspaper without the fear of angry southerners. His lasting impression after his assassination was his drive and determination for abolitionism.


Elizabeth Cady Stanton criticized American society for its views on women and blacks. She committed her life to women’s suffrage, as well as being an abolitionist. She was successful in creating a women’s rights organization with Susan B. Anthony. He lasting legacy was her desire for white female suffrage, over black male suffrage.


Lucretia Mott was a women’s rights activist as well as an abolitionist. She improved lives through her tireless struggle for universal suffrage. She, along with Stanton, organized the Seneca Falls convention on women’s rights. The greatest length see went to while pursuing her goals was when she co-organized the Seneca Falls Convention.


Robert Owen was a social reformer that believed in utopian socialism. His plans were to combat poverty through the setup of isolated utopias of about 1250 people. He failed his “experiment” in New Harmony because he lacked the ability to govern the community. He was an interesting historical figure because of his radical approach to problems. He continued his works in England following the failure of New Harmony. His lasting legacy was is introduction of socialism into society.




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