Brief guide to manuscripts collections| William L. Clements Library The University of Michigan Owen Lovejoy Papers |
Owen Lovejoy, born at Albion, Maine, attended Bowdoin College. After studying law and teaching, he moved to Alton, Illinois, in 1836 to prepare for the ministry under the tutelage of his brother, Elijah P. Lovejoy. He joined Elijah's abolitionist activities, publishing the Alton Observer and serving as an agent for the American Anti-Slavery Society in Illinois. When Elijah was killed defending his press from an armed mob, Owen vowed to continue his brother's work. He was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Princeton, Illinois, and served there 17 years. An early organizer of the Republican Party, Lovejoy consistently supported Lincoln. He was elected state representative in 1854 and sat in the United States Congress from 1857 until his death. Throughout his career Lovejoy was an effective, courageous antislavery leader.
Papers of Owen Lovejoy, antislavery leader, congressman, clergyman, brother of Elijah Parish Lovejoy (1802-1837), abolitionist martyr.
This collection contains primarily family letters although there is some correspondence with other antislavery leaders. The majority of the collection relating to the Lovejoy falls between 1856 and 1864, when he was in Congress. Printed copies of Lovejoy's antislavery pamphlets, speeches, and sermons are also present. There are approximately 30 items relating to Lovejoy family descendants.
Gift of E. P. Lovejoy, 1948
| Homepage | Manuscripts | Collections | Staff | Hours and policies |
|---|