David Ruggles: Nineteenth century abolitionist, Underground Railroad conductor, publisher, and writer
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
7 pm, Coolidge Museum at Forbes Library

David Ruggles lived in Florence from 1842 to 1849. He was a mentor to Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass, the first African American publisher of a magazine, and opened the first bookstore and lending library for African Americans in New York City. Ruggles was a key figure in the struggle against slavery in the 1830 and 40s. Nearly blind himself by the time he arrived in Florence, he was also a skilled healer who opened a hospital dedicated to the water cure. A research center and museum dedicated to Ruggles recently opened in Florence.

Steve Strimer, local historian with the David Ruggles Center and publisher (as part of Collective Copies) of the new Levellers Press, will discuss Ruggles’s work and connection to Northampton
and Florence.

Jacqueline Sheehan will read from her bestselling novel, TRUTH, which is based on the life of Sojourner Truth.

Andrea Hairston will read from her forthcoming novel, REDWOOD AND WILDFIRE, which is the story of hoodoo conjurors and talented performers struggling to conjure up the world they imagine in the context of minstrel shows and vaudeville at the turn of the twentieth century.

This part of the Local History/Local Novelists series at the library. The schedule for the whole series is here.