James G. Birney
#233,129 Most Popular
About
Kentucky politician who was a staunch supporter of the abolition of slavery, and ran as the abolitionist candidate for president in 1844.
Before Fame
Though surrounded by anti-slavery friends and relatives, he did not adopt their views during his childhood.
Trivia
His attempts at getting slaveowners to emancipate their slaves were very gradual - for example, exacting promises from them to free their slaves' children when they turned 21.
Family Life
He was born into a wealthy, slaveholding Irish family, in Danville, Kentucky.
Associated With
His son David served as a Union general under Ulysses S. Grant in the Civil War.
