University Archives

From the 1820s to the Civil War, African Americans assumed prominent roles in the transatlantic struggle to abolish slavery. In contrast to the popular belief that the abolitionist crusade was driven by wealthy white abolitionists, some 300 black abolitionists were regularly involved in the antislavery movement, heightening its credibility and broadening its agenda. The Black Abolitionist Digital Archive is a collection of over 800 speeches by black abolitionists in the antebellum period, and approximately 1,000 editorials from the period. These important documents provide a portrait of black involvement in the anti-slavery movement; scans of these documents are provided as images and PDF files. For assistance with this collection, please contact the the University Archivist, Mara Powell at 313-993-1950 or the library reference desk at 313-993-1071. You may also email the reference desk for assistance at edesk@udmercy.edu.