William Still

This article is about the abolitionist and member of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. For other people, see William Still (disambiguation).
William Still
Image of Still, published in 1898
Born(1821-10-07)October 7, 1821
Shamong Township, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedJuly 14, 1902(1902-07-14) (aged 80)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Resting placeEden Cemetery (Collingdale, Pennsylvania)
Occupations
  • Abolitionist
  • businessman
  • philanthropist
Known for
Spouse
Letitia George
​
(m. 1847)​
Children4

William Still (October 7, 1819[1][2] – July 14, 1902) was an African-American abolitionist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a conductor of the Underground Railroad and was responsible for aiding and assisting at least 649 slaves to freedom towards North. Still was also a businessman, writer, historian and civil rights activist. Before the American Civil War, Still was chairman of the Vigilance Committee of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, named the Vigilant Association of Philadelphia. He directly aided fugitive slaves and also kept records of the people served in order to help families reunite.

After the war, Still continued as a prominent businessman, a coal merchant, and philanthropist. He used his meticulous records to write an account of the underground system and the experiences of many escaped slaves, entitled The Underground Railroad Records (1872).

  1. ^ Turner, Dr. Diane D. "William Still's National Significance". Philadelphia: Temple University Libraries. Archived from the original on October 16, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2019. Born on October 7, 1821, in Burlington County, New Jersey...
  2. ^ The 1900 US Census record gives November 1819.