Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Date of Birth: December 22, 1823

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: May 9, 1911

Biography

Thomas Wentworth Higginson was an influential American clergyman, author, and social reformer. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Higginson was a staunch advocate for the abolition of slavery and women’s rights. He is perhaps best known for his role as a Union Army officer during the American Civil War, where he commanded the first federally authorized black regiment, the 1st South Carolina Volunteers. Higginson was also an accomplished writer, contributing essays and articles to various publications, and he played a key role in the literary career of Emily Dickinson, serving as a mentor and correspondent to the reclusive poet. His extensive body of work includes essays on social reform, literature, and history, all reflecting his enduring commitment to justice and equality.

5 Interesting Facts about Thomas Wentworth Higginson

1. Higginson was a key figure in the Transcendentalist movement and was closely associated with notable figures such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.

2. He was instrumental in the establishment of the American Red Cross, working alongside Clara Barton.

3. Higginson wrote “Army Life in a Black Regiment,” a memoir detailing his experiences leading the 1st South Carolina Volunteers.

4. He was an early advocate for physical fitness and wrote extensively on the importance of exercise, even penning a book titled “Malbone: An Oldport Romance.”

5. Higginson was a vocal supporter of Reconstruction efforts and civil rights for freed slaves following the Civil War.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Thomas Wentworth Higginson

1. “The gravest events dawn with jokes and laughter.”

2. “Originality often consists in linking up ideas whose connection was not previously suspected.”

3. “I believe in the patient seeking of truth and the slow accumulation of knowledge.”

4. “The essence of true friendship is to make allowance for another’s little lapses.”

5. “Great men are rarely isolated mountain peaks; they are the summits of ranges.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There is no reliable record of Thomas Wentworth Higginson’s net worth; however, his contributions to society and his literary legacy have had an immeasurable impact.

Children

Thomas Wentworth Higginson had no biological children, but he was a mentor and paternal figure to many through his extensive social and literary networks.