Sophia Louise Little facts for kids

Sophia Louise Little, a writer and activist.

Sophia Louise Little (born Robbins; 1799–1893) was an American poet and an important leader in the abolitionist movement. Abolitionists worked to end slavery. She wrote many poems and helped people in need throughout her life.

Sophia's Early Life

Sophia Louise Robbins was born in Newport, Rhode Island, on August 22, 1799. Her father, Asher Robbins, was a United States Senator from Rhode Island. A Senator is a person elected to represent their state in the U.S. government.

Sophia grew up and went to school in Newport. In 1834, she married William Little, Jr. He was from Boston and helped her improve her poetry.

Sophia's Work and Activism

Sophia Little's first long poem was about Thanksgiving in New England. It was printed in a magazine called The Token in 1838.

She was very involved in the anti-slavery movement. This movement worked to end slavery in the United States. Sophia was a lifelong friend of William Lloyd Garrison, a famous abolitionist. She was even there when he was attacked by a mob in Boston for his anti-slavery views.

Sophia Little also became the president of the Prisoner's Aid Association of Rhode Island. This group helped people who were in prison. With the help of her friends, she opened a free reading room in Newport for working people. This reading room later became a free public library. She also started a "Holly-tree coffee-house." Sophia continued to be active in many charities even in her later years.

Sophia Little passed away in 1893. Her son, Robbins Little, became a lawyer and a librarian.

Sophia's Published Poems

Sophia Little wrote many poems for different magazines. She also published several books of her own poems. These included:

• "The Last Days of Jesus" (published in Boston, 1839)
• "The Annunciation and Birth of Jesus, and the Resurrection" (1843)
• "Pentecost" (1873)

In 1877, a full collection of her religious poems was published in Newport. It was called Last Days of Jesus, and Other Poems.

Images for kids

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  Sophia Little's signature.