Jesse Burton Harrison facts for kids

Jesse Burton Harrison (born 1805, died 1841) was an American lawyer and writer. He was known for speaking out against slavery.

Jesse Harrison's Early Life and Education

Jesse Burton Harrison was born in 1805 in Lynchburg, Virginia. His father, Samuel Jordan Harrison, was a successful tobacco merchant. He was also a friend of Thomas Jefferson. His father helped build the University of Virginia.

When Jesse was young, he often visited Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. James Madison, another important American leader, also supported him.

Jesse went to Hampden–Sydney College. Later, he studied law at Harvard Law School. There, he was inspired by his teacher, George Ticknor.

After finishing his studies, Jesse Harrison worked as a lawyer in Lynchburg. In 1828, he wanted to become a professor at the University of Virginia, but he did not get the job.

Travels and Work in Europe

After not getting the professor job, Jesse Harrison traveled to Europe. He had a special letter from Martin Van Buren, who was the Secretary of State at the time. This letter helped him meet important people.

While in Europe, he met famous figures like Lafayette, Talleyrand, and Goethe. He spent a year studying at the University of Göttingen in Germany.

Life in New Orleans

Later, Jesse Harrison moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. There, he helped start the Louisiana Historical Society. This group works to preserve the history of Louisiana.

He also worked as an editor. He edited the Louisiana Law Reports, which were important legal documents. He also edited a newspaper called the Louisiana Advertiser. This newspaper supported the Whig Party, a political group in America at that time.

Speaking Out Against Slavery

Jesse Harrison gave many speeches about literature. In the late 1820s, he started to publicly support ideas against slavery.

In 1827, he wrote an appeal to support the American Colonization Society. This group aimed to send freed enslaved people to Africa.

Most importantly, Jesse Harrison wrote a strong response to an essay by Thomas Roderick Dew. Dew's essay supported slavery. Harrison's writing was called Review of the Debates in the Virginia Legislature, 1831-2. It argued against Dew's pro-slavery views.

Death and Family

Jesse Harrison died in 1841 in New Orleans. He passed away from yellow fever, a serious illness.

He had a son named Burton Harrison. Burton later became a lawyer and an official for the Confederate States. Jesse Harrison was also the grandfather of Fairfax Harrison and Francis Burton Harrison. His wife was Frances Anne Brand.