Robert Purvis

Date of Birth: August 4, 1810

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: April 15, 1898

Biography

Robert Purvis was an American abolitionist and activist born in Charleston, South Carolina. Born to a wealthy African American father and a Jewish mother, Purvis dedicated much of his life to the fight against slavery and for civil rights. Educated in private Quaker schools in Pennsylvania, Purvis was influenced by the Quaker principles of equality and justice. He was a prominent member of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society and one of the founders of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Purvis also played a significant role in the operations of the Underground Railroad, providing shelter and assistance to countless fugitive slaves. His home in Philadelphia was known as a safe haven for those escaping bondage. Throughout his life, Purvis advocated for the rights of African Americans, women, and other marginalized groups, leaving a lasting legacy of activism and humanitarianism.

5 Interesting Facts about Robert Purvis

1. Robert Purvis was often referred to as the “President of the Underground Railroad” due to his extensive involvement in the network.

2. He was married to Harriet Forten, the daughter of another prominent African American abolitionist, James Forten.

3. Purvis was one of the wealthiest African Americans of his time, using his resources to support various anti-slavery initiatives.

4. He was a co-founder of the Library Company of Colored People, the first African American library in the United States.

5. Purvis was also a staunch advocate for women’s suffrage, participating in the early women’s rights movement alongside figures like Lucretia Mott and Susan B. Anthony.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Robert Purvis

1. “I shall never be a party to a compact which recognizes the right of the slaveholder to his property in man.”

2. “It is not the color of the skin that makes the man, but the principles formed within the soul.”

3. “We must educate, we must agitate, we must organize.”

4. “The cause of the slave has been the cause of my life.”

5. “Liberty is the right of every human being.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Robert Purvis’s highest net worth is not precisely documented, but he was known to be one of the wealthiest African Americans of his era due to his successful business ventures and inherited wealth.

Children

Robert Purvis had eight children with his wife, Harriet Forten. Their children were active in various social causes, continuing the legacy of their parents. Some of their names include William, Robert, Harriet, and Joseph Purvis.