Theodore S. Wright
Encyclopedia
Theodore S. Wright was an African-American abolitionist and minister. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island
to free parents—his mother was American, his father from Kenya. He was the first African-American to attend Princeton Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1829. Before 1833, he became minister of New York's Colored Presbyterian church. He was a founding member of the American Anti-Slavery Society. In 1837, at a colored convention meeting, he opposed a resolution advocating black self-defense as "un-Christian," but by 1843 his views had sufficiently changed that he supported Henry Highland Garnet
's call at Buffalo for a slave uprising (it was opposed by Frederick Douglass
and narrowly defeated). Wright also acted as a conductor for the Underground Railroad
in New York
.
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
to free parents—his mother was American, his father from Kenya. He was the first African-American to attend Princeton Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1829. Before 1833, he became minister of New York's Colored Presbyterian church. He was a founding member of the American Anti-Slavery Society. In 1837, at a colored convention meeting, he opposed a resolution advocating black self-defense as "un-Christian," but by 1843 his views had sufficiently changed that he supported Henry Highland Garnet
Henry Highland Garnet
Henry Highland Garnet was an African American abolitionist and orator. An advocate of militant abolitionism, Garnet was a prominent member of the abolition movement that led against moral suasion toward more political action. Renowned for his skills as a public speaker, he urged blacks to take...
's call at Buffalo for a slave uprising (it was opposed by Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, orator, writer and statesman. After escaping from slavery, he became a leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining note for his dazzling oratory and incisive antislavery writing...
and narrowly defeated). Wright also acted as a conductor for the Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.