Famous 19th Century Human Rights Activists

Vote for Your Favourite 19th Century Human Rights Activists

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 1 
Solomon Northup
8
Birthdate: July 10, 1807
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Minerva, New York
Died: 1863 AD
Abolitionist Solomon Northup had authored the memoir Twelve Years a Slave, which was later adapted into the Academy Award-winning film 12 Years a Slave. Northup was abducted and sold as a slave to a planter in Louisiana. He was eventually freed with the help of the governor New York.
 2 
Henry Dunant
(Swiss Humanitarian, Businessman and Co-Founder of the 'Red Cross')
Henry Dunant
5
Birthdate: May 8, 1828
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Geneva, Switzerland
Died: October 30, 1910

Henry Dunant was a Swiss businessman, social activist, and humanitarian. He is credited with co-founding and promoting the Red Cross. In 1901, he became the first Swiss Nobel laureate when he was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize. Dunant is also credited with founding the Swiss branch of YMCA. His life inspired the 1948 historical drama film, Man to Men.

 3 
Bogd Khan
(Mongolian head of state)
Bogd Khan
3
Birthdate: 1869 AD
Birthplace: Litang, Sichuan, Qing Dynasty
Died: May 20, 1924
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 4 
Nellie McClung
(Canadian Author, Politician and Social Activist)
Nellie McClung
5
Birthdate: October 20, 1873
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Chatsworth, Ontario, Canada
Died: September 1, 1951

Canadian author and social reformer Nellie McClung had struck gold with her first novel, Sowing Seeds in Danny, a bestseller. She also spoke widely about woman suffrage and was part of the Alberta legislature. She was part of The Famous Five, a group of women who launched the Persons Case.

 5 
Angelina Grimke
(American Political Activist, Abolitionist, and Women's Rights Advocate)
Angelina Grimke
3
Birthdate: February 20, 1805
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Died: October 26, 1879

Angelina Grimke was an American political activist, abolitionist, women's rights advocate, and promoter of the women's suffrage movement. She is best remembered for the anti-slavery speech which she gave outside Pennsylvania Hall in May 1838. One of her letters regarding anti-slavery was published by William Lloyd Garrison in his newspaper The Liberator in 1835.

 6 
Edith Cowan
(Social Campaigner)
Edith Cowan
5
Birthdate: August 2, 1861
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Geraldton, Australia
Died: June 9, 1932

Edith Cowan was an Australian social reformer best remembered for serving as a member of parliament; she was the first Australian woman to do so. She is also remembered for working for the welfare and rights of children and women. In recognition of her contribution, Cowan has been depicted on Australia's fifty-dollar note since 1995.

 7 
Caroline Chisholm
(Immigrant Welfare Activist)
Caroline Chisholm
3
Birthdate: May 30, 1808
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Wootton, Northampton, England
Died: March 25, 1877

Caroline Chisholm was an English humanitarian remembered for her work in British India where she established the Female School of Industry for the Daughters of European Soldiers which aimed at educating girls, who were taught reading, writing, nursing, cooking, and housekeeping. She also became a much-admired woman in Australia where she placed more than 11,000 people in jobs and homes.

 8 
Lillian Wald
(American Nurse and the Founder of American Nursing Community)
Lillian Wald
3
Birthdate: March 10, 1867
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Died: September 1, 1940

Lillian Wald was an American nurse, author, and humanitarian. She is credited with establishing the Henry Street Settlement, a not-for-profit social service agency in New York City. After founding the agency, Lillian Wald became an activist and fought for the rights of minorities and women. She also supported racial integration and campaigned for suffrage.  

 9 
Shields Green
(Activist, Sailor)
Shields Green
0
Birthdate: 1836 AD
Birthplace: South Carolina, United States
Died: December 16, 1859
 10 
Charles W. Chesnutt
(Author)
Charles W. Chesnutt
3
Birthdate: June 20, 1858
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Died: November 17, 1932
 11 
Levi Coffin
(Abolitionist)
Levi Coffin
3
Birthdate: October 28, 1798
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Guilford County, North Carolina
Died: September 16, 1877
 12 
Charlotte Forten Grimké
(Poet)
Charlotte Forten Grimké
2
Birthdate: August 17, 1837
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died: July 23, 1914
 13 
Moncure D. Conway
(Writer)
Moncure D. Conway
2
Birthdate: March 17, 1832
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Falmouth, Virginia, United States
Died: November 15, 1907
 14 
Madeline McDowell Breckinridge
(American Human Rights Activist and Social Reformer)
Madeline McDowell Breckinridge
2
Birthdate: May 20, 1872
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Franklin County, Kentucky, United States
Died: November 25, 1920

Madeline McDowell Breckinridge is best remembered for leading the women's suffrage movement in Kentucky. Mostly involved with campaigns related to children’s and women’s rights, she also established the Lexington Civic League, geared toward controlling child labor and upliftment of poor children. She was also associated with efforts to prevent tuberculosis.

 15 
Eliza Farnham
(Writer)
Eliza Farnham
2
Birthdate: November 17, 1815
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Rensselaer, New York, United States
Died: December 15, 1864
 16 
Fannie Barrier Williams
(Educator)
Fannie Barrier Williams
1
Birthdate: February 12, 1855
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Brockport, New York, United States
Died: March 4, 1944
 17 
Maria Weston Chapman
(Abolitionist)
Maria Weston Chapman
2
Birthdate: July 25, 1806
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Weymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Died: July 12, 1885
 18 
Ann Preston
(Physician)
Ann Preston
1
Birthdate: December 1, 1813
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: West Grove, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: April 18, 1872
 19 
James T. Shotwell
(Historian)
James T. Shotwell
1
Birthdate: August 6, 1874
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Strathroy, Canada
Died: July 15, 1965
 20 
Anna Adams Gordon
(Songwriter)
Anna Adams Gordon
1
Birthdate: July 21, 1853
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Died: June 15, 1931
 21 
Helen Marot
(Writer)
Helen Marot
0
Birthdate: June 9, 1865
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: June 3, 1940