Lysander Spooner

Date of Birth: January 19, 1808

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: May 14, 1887

Biography

Lysander Spooner was an American philosopher, legal theorist, abolitionist, and writer born on January 19, 1808, in Athol, Massachusetts. He is best known for his staunch advocacy of individual liberty, natural law, and his opposition to government intervention. Spooner’s most notable works include “The Unconstitutionality of Slavery” and “No Treason: The Constitution of No Authority,” where he argued that the U.S. Constitution was a contract that could not bind individuals who had not consented to it. A radical thinker of his time, Spooner also founded the American Letter Mail Company in 1844, challenging the postal monopoly held by the U.S. government. His efforts in this endeavor were ultimately quashed by legal actions, but they underscored his commitment to free enterprise and competition. Spooner’s writings have influenced libertarian and anarchist thought for generations.

5 Interesting Facts about Lysander Spooner

1. Lysander Spooner founded the American Letter Mail Company to compete with the U.S. Post Office, which led to litigation that ended his enterprise.

2. He was a vocal abolitionist and wrote several pamphlets arguing against the institution of slavery.

3. Spooner was a proponent of jury nullification, the idea that juries can and should judge the law itself, not just the facts of the case.

4. He believed in natural law, which he argued was superior to any government-imposed law.

5. Spooner was ahead of his time in advocating for the rights of women and minorities, promoting equality well before it became a mainstream issue.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lysander Spooner

1. “A man is no less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years.”

2. “The Constitution has no inherent authority or obligation.”

3. “Vices are not crimes.”

4. “But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain – that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it.”

5. “The very idea of law originates in men’s natural rights, and is limited to the protection of those rights.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Lysander Spooner did not achieve significant financial wealth during his lifetime. His highest net worth likely came from his short-lived success with the American Letter Mail Company, but specific figures are not well-documented.