Williamsburg Regional Library

First to fall, Elijah Lovejoy and the fight for a free press in the age of slavery, Ken Ellingwood

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 311-318) and index

individual biography

index present

non fiction

First to fall

bibliography

1201300951

Ken Ellingwood

Elijah Lovejoy and the fight for a free press in the age of slavery

"The history of the fight for free press has never been more vital in our own time, when journalists are targeted as "enemies of the people." In this brilliant and rigorously researched history, award-winning journalist and author Ken Ellingwood animates the life and times of abolitionist newspaper editor Elijah Lovejoy. First to Fall illuminates this flawed yet heroic figure who made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for free press rights in a time when the First Amendment offered little protection for those who dared to critique America's "peculiar institution." Culminating in Lovejoy's dramatic clashes with the pro-slavery mob in Alton, Illinois--who were destroying printing press after printing press--First to Fall will bring Lovejoy, his supporters and his enemies to life during the raucous 1830s at the edge of slave country. It was a bloody period of innovation, conflict, violent politics, and painful soul-searching over pivotal issues of morality and justice."--, Amazon.com

Where the evil existed -- A land of strangers -- Brethren -- The only weapon -- Nothing but a newspaper -- To the west -- The ashes of McIntosh -- A judge named Lawless -- Mr. Birney frees his slaves -- Incendiary missiles -- The south builds a barricade -- A right to interfere -- The odious doctrines of Elijah Lovejoy -- A band of lawless men -- The wise and good -- Effects most happy -- No right to be neutral -- A train of mournful consequences -- Tin horns and torches -- A martyr in the cause

adult