George Griffin (butler) facts for kids

George Griffin was an African-American man born in Virginia in 1849. He was born into slavery, which meant he was not free. In 1874, after slavery ended, Griffin became a free man. He then started working for Samuel L. Clemens, who is better known as the famous writer Mark Twain.

We don't know much about Griffin's early life. But we know a lot about his later years. This information comes from letters and writings by Mark Twain. Mark Twain wrote that Griffin was born into slavery in Maryland. The Emancipation Proclamation made him free. As a young man, he worked as a helper for General Devens during the Civil War.

A Life of Purpose

Griffin was an important member of his community. He was a Deacon at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was also an active political leader. Griffin was a family man too. He married a dressmaker named Mary, and they had one daughter.

Helping His Community

People remembered Griffin for being good at managing money. He would lend money to other African Americans in his community. This helped them start businesses or buy homes.

Mark Twain described Griffin as a wonderful person. He said Griffin was "handsome, well built, shrewd, wise, polite, always good-natured, cheerful to gaiety, honest, religious, a cautious truth-speaker, devoted friend to the family, champion of its interests." Twain also said Griffin was a "peace-maker" in the home. He helped solve problems before they turned into arguments.

Working with Mark Twain

Griffin worked as the Clemens family's butler for 17 years. He seemed very close to the family. Even after Griffin bought his own house in the city, he kept a room at the Clemens' home in Hartford.

This was the time when Mark Twain wrote his famous book, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. George Griffin may have inspired the character Jim. Jim is one of the two main characters in the novel. George Griffin passed away in 1897.