Thomas Wentworth Higginson was a 19th-century American activist, poet, author, politician, abolitionist, and soldier. He fought in the American Civil War, championed fugitive slaves, and played a vital role in the development and publication of Emily Dickinson’s poetry.
Top Questions
Although Thomas Wentworth Higginson was not primarily known for his poetry, ‘Ode to a Butterfly,’ is arguably his most famous poem. It speaks to the appreciation of nature and the beauty that surrounds us.
Thomas Wentworth Higginson was born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on December 22nd, 1823. He grew up in the area in a wealthy, well-respected family before moving to study at Harvard College.
Although Thomas Wentworth Higginson was a talented and proficient poet, he was mostly known for his work in abolishing slavery and pushing for the rights of women in 19th-century American society.
Thomas Wentworth Higginson was influenced by the writings and activism of leading abolitionists such as William Lloyd Garrison and Lydia Maria Child and transcendentalist thinkers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Theodore Parker.
Thomas Wentworth Higginson passed away peacefully on May 9, 1911, at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was 87 years old. While the exact cause of death isn’t readily available in most sources, he reportedly fell ill the previous Saturday and lapsed into unconsciousness the day before his passing.
Early Life
Thomas Wentworth Higginson was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on December 22nd, 1823, to a fairly wealthy family. His father, Stephen Higginson, made his wealth from his Boston merchant business and used his money to engage in philanthropy. His bloodline was heavily tied to the Massachusetts area, as his ancestor, Francis Higginson, was one of the original immigrants of the Massachusetts Bay region and conducted himself as a Puritan minister.
After a robust early education, Higginson moved to the prestigious Harvard College at a very young age, compared to modern educational standards. He was brought in at the age of thirteen and later graduated at 18 in 1841. During his time there, he was elected into the role of Phi Beta Kappa before moving on to the Harvard Divinity School, where he delved into the study of theology.
Abolitionism
Higginson is well known for his views on anti-slavery and abolitionist sentiment. In fact, he left his position at the Havard Divinity School in 1845 to dive full tilt into the abolitionist cause, joining the Disunion Abolitionists in the process. The period of the 1840s and 1850s kicked off his activist career and carried on throughout the American Civil War.
Marriage and Family
It was also during the 1840s that Higginson’s personal life took a positive turn as he got married to Mary Elizabeth Channing. The ceremony took place in 1847 after Higginson became an ordained minister. Channing came from a well-respected family. Her father, Dr. Walter Channing, was a doctor of gynecology and obstetrics, and her Uncle, William Ellery Channing, was a Unitarian minister.
However, the marriage would not last, as Higginson went on to tie the knot with Mary Potter Thacher. They would have two daughters together, while he also took on the responsibility of bringing up Margaret Fuller Channing, who was not his blood daughter.
Ministry, Politics, and Activism
Thomas Wentworth Higginson was a man of many talents, built a career as a minister, and delved into the world of politics. In 1849, he became the minister of the First Religious Society of Newburyport, Massachusetts. However, it didn’t last long. In 1850, he combined his activism with politics when he put himself forward as a candidate in Massachusetts’s 3rd congressional district, representing the Free Soil Party.
His activism carried on as he began investing time into the protection of fugitive slaves in the form of the Boston Vigilance Committee. Due to his efforts, he was able to free some well-known slaves, such as Anthony Burns and Thomas Sims.
He became tied to the women’s rights movement from the 1850s onward. One of his most notable involvements was when he spoke to the audience at the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention in 1853. His contribution to the women’s suffrage movement continued throughout the period, and in 1868, he organized the New England Woman Suffrage Association. Two years later, in 1870, he played his part in the founding of the Woman’s Journal, becoming one of the original editors.
Civil War Years
Thomas Wentworth Higginson is synonymous with the American Civil War and played an important role in the conflict. Some of his most notable achievements during the war include:
- Captain in the 51st Massachusetts Infantry
- Colonel of the First South Carolina Volunteers, the first federally authorized black regiment, after Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton required that black regiments be commanded by white officers.
Later Years
After the Civil War, Higginson devoted most of his time to literature and took on the role of a mentor. His mentorship famously included Emily Dickinson, who is considered one of her generation’s greatest poets. He also worked on his poetry, such as ‘Ode to a Butterfly.’ Unfortunately, on May 9th, 1911, Higginson passed away, and his body was laid to rest at Cambridge Cemetery, Massachusetts.
Emily Dickinson
Higginson is remembered as a correspondent and literary mentor to the poet Emily Dickinson. Their association began in April 1862, when he reached out to young American writers with his article Letter to a Young Contributor, which was published in Atlantic Monthly.
In response to the release, a young Emily Dickinson sent four poems Higginson’s way. Wanting some feedback on her work, he gave her some constructive criticism and the arrangement continued and developed into a mentorship. From communication via letters, they even met in person, with Higginson visiting her Amherst residence. Dickinson’s reputation as a recluse seemed to be true when he would describe bewilderment at her lifestyle. However, he played a vital role in changing the poetic landscape forever when he worked with Mabel Loomis Todd to edit and release Emily Dickinson’s poetry posthumously. Without this, poetry fans and scholars wouldn’t have been blessed with her work.
