You’ve heard about the Underground Railroad in the southern coastal states, and Harriet Tubman’s and Frederick Douglass’s heroism in aiding slaves escape to the northeastern states and Canada. The Railroad actually had several distinct routes to freedom, as shown on this map from National Geographic. The branch on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers was established … Continue reading The Quakers and the Underground Railroad
Society of Friends
The Quakers and The Great Irish Famine
I’ve mentioned before that The Society of Friends (also known as the Quakers) provided an immense help to the native Irish during the Great Potato Famine in the mid-19th century by running soup kitchens to feed the starving populace. However, once the British Government took over that job, the Quakers continued giving support to those … Continue reading The Quakers and The Great Irish Famine
an Gorta Mor (or The Great Irish Famine, 1845-1852)
Most of the time I find history boring. But every once in awhile, I stumble over something fascinating. And usually, that something makes me cry. I’d heard quite a bit about the Irish Famine at different places along the way, like in English class in high school when we read Jonathan Swift’s essay A Modest … Continue reading an Gorta Mor (or The Great Irish Famine, 1845-1852)
Gifford MacShane, Author 