John Brown Russwurm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Brown Russwurm
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| Born |
John Brown Russwurm
October 1, 1799 |
| Died | June 9, 1851 (aged 51) |
| Education | Hebron Academy and Bowdoin College |
| Occupation | Publisher, journalist |
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Notable credit(s)
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Freedom's Journal Liberia Herald |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah McGill Russwurm |
John Brown Russwurm (born October 1, 1799 – died June 9, 1851) was an important figure in American history. He worked to end slavery and published newspapers. He also helped set up a new home for African Americans in Liberia, Africa.
John was born in Jamaica. His father was English, and his mother was enslaved. He moved to the United States as a child. There, he received a good education. He was the first African American to graduate from Hebron Academy and Bowdoin College.
Later, Russwurm moved to New York City. He helped start Freedom's Journal. This was the first newspaper owned and run by African Americans. He later supported the idea of African Americans moving to Africa. In 1829, he moved to what became Liberia. He served as governor of Maryland in Africa from 1836 until his death. This colony later joined Liberia.
Contents
Early Life and Family
John Russwurm was born in Port Antonio, Jamaica, in 1799. His father was an English merchant named John R. Russwurm. His mother was a Black enslaved woman. The family lived in Jamaica until 1807. Then, young John was sent to Quebec, Canada.
In 1812, John and his father moved to Portland, Maine. His father married Susan Blanchard in 1813. Susan insisted that John's father officially recognize him. She also wanted John to use his father's last name. So, he became "John Brown Russwurm." He lived with his father, stepmother, and her children. They accepted him as part of the family.
John's father died in 1815. But John stayed close to his stepmother, Susan. She later remarried and became Susan Hawes. The John B. Russwurm House in Portland was owned by the family. It is now a historic landmark.
Education and Learning
John Russwurm went to Hebron Academy in Maine. He worked very hard on his studies. People even gave him the nickname "Honest John." After graduating, he taught at a school for African Americans in Boston.
A few years later, he moved back to Maine. He lived with his stepmother and her new husband. They helped him pay for more schooling. In 1824, he enrolled in Bowdoin College. He graduated in 1826. John Russwurm was the first African American to graduate from Bowdoin College. He was also only the third African American to graduate from any American college.
Career and Work
Starting Freedom's Journal
In 1827, Russwurm moved to New York City. At that time, New York had many free Black people. On March 16, 1827, Russwurm and Samuel Cornish started Freedom's Journal. This was a newspaper against slavery. It was the first newspaper in the United States owned and run by African Americans.
As editor, Russwurm often wrote about African history. He also included famous English writings. This helped readers learn about their heritage and literature.
In September 1827, Samuel Cornish left the paper. Russwurm then started to support Black people moving from the U.S. to Africa. Many Black leaders did not like this idea. But Russwurm believed Black people would do better in Africa. He thought they would have more opportunities there. So, he left the paper in March 1829. He then moved to Liberia.
Freedom's Journal only lasted two years. But it inspired many other Black newspapers. By the start of the Civil War, there were over 40 Black-owned newspapers.
Moving to Liberia
After moving to Liberia, Russwurm became a colonial secretary. He worked for the American Colonization Society from 1830 to 1834. He also edited the Liberia Herald newspaper. He left this job in 1835. He disagreed with some of America's colonization rules.
Russwurm wanted to have a bigger role in politics. He felt Liberia offered him this chance, but the United States did not. He also served as the superintendent of education in Monrovia, Liberia's capital.
In 1836, he became the first Black governor of Maryland in Africa. This was a colony that later became part of Liberia in 1857. He was governor until he died in Cape Palmas on June 9, 1851. He kept encouraging African Americans to move to the Republic of Maryland. He also helped develop farming and trade there. Russwurm learned several local languages. He worked to build good relationships with neighboring countries and European nations.
Personal Life
In 1833, John Russwurm married Sarah McGill. Sarah's father was the Lieutenant-Governor of Monrovia. Her family, the McGills, was very important. John and Sarah had one daughter and four sons.
In 1850, Russwurm visited Maine. He brought two of his sons with him. They attended North Yarmouth Academy from 1850 to 1852. They lived with his stepmother, Susan Russwurm Hawes. John had always stayed close to her after his father's death.
Legacy and Impact
A statue of John Russwurm stands at his burial site. It is in Harper, Cape Palmas, Liberia. In 2002, a scholar named Molefi Kete Asante included John Brown Russwurm on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans.
