“The heroism and desperate struggle that many of our people endured should be kept
green in the memory of this and coming generations” ~ William Still
William Still, 7 Oct 1821 – 14 Jul 1902
From the National Portrait Gallery, CCO
“Historian and activist William Still exemplified the self-determination and resourcefulness of nineteenth-century Black leaders. Born to enslaved parents, Still later settled in Philadelphia, where he spent the rest of his life. His lifelong commitment to justice included being a prominent conductor for the Underground Railroad, leading fundraising efforts to aid the emancipation of enslaved people, and campaigning against segregation in Philadelphia. In 1872, Still published The Underground Rail Road, a book containing first-person narratives of anti-slavery activists and courageous freedom seekers. Later displayed at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, it remains an indispensable source on slavery today.”