William Francis Allen
Encyclopedia
William Francis Allen was an American
classical scholar and an editor of the first book of American slave songs.
Allen was born in Northborough, Massachusetts
in 1830. He graduated Harvard College
in 1851; later he traveled and studied in Europe. A Unitarian
, he considered the ministry before deciding to pursue a literary and scholarly career. In 1856, he became assistant principal at the English and Classical School in West Newton, Massachusetts. In 1863-4, during the Civil War
, he and his wife, Mary Lambert Allen, ran a school for newly-emancipated slaves on the Sea Islands of South Carolina; in 1864-5, he worked as a sanitary agent among black war refugees in Arkansas
. After the war, he taught at Antioch College
, and in 1867, he became professor of ancient languages and history (afterwards Latin
language and Roman
history) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
. He died in December 1889.
He wrote prolifically for journals and magazines. His contributions to classical studies chiefly consist of schoolbooks published in the Allen (his brother) and Greenough series. The Slave Songs of the United States
(1867), of which he was joint-editor, was inspired by his work among the freedmen and the first book of its kind ever published.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
classical scholar and an editor of the first book of American slave songs.
Allen was born in Northborough, Massachusetts
Northborough, Massachusetts
Northborough is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The official spelling of the town's name is "Northborough", but the shorter spelling "Northboro" is also used...
in 1830. He graduated Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
in 1851; later he traveled and studied in Europe. A Unitarian
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
, he considered the ministry before deciding to pursue a literary and scholarly career. In 1856, he became assistant principal at the English and Classical School in West Newton, Massachusetts. In 1863-4, during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he and his wife, Mary Lambert Allen, ran a school for newly-emancipated slaves on the Sea Islands of South Carolina; in 1864-5, he worked as a sanitary agent among black war refugees in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. After the war, he taught at Antioch College
Antioch College
Antioch College is a private, independent liberal arts college in Yellow Springs, Ohio, United States. It was the founder and the flagship institution of the six-campus Antioch University system. Founded in 1852 by the Christian Connection, the college began operating in 1853 with politician and...
, and in 1867, he became professor of ancient languages and history (afterwards Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
language and Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
history) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
. He died in December 1889.
He wrote prolifically for journals and magazines. His contributions to classical studies chiefly consist of schoolbooks published in the Allen (his brother) and Greenough series. The Slave Songs of the United States
Slave Songs of the United States
Slave Songs of the United States was a collection of African American music published in 1867. It was the first, and most influential, collection of spirituals to be published; the collectors were Northern abolitionists, William Francis Allen, Lucy McKim Garrison and Charles Pickard Ware. It is a...
(1867), of which he was joint-editor, was inspired by his work among the freedmen and the first book of its kind ever published.