Meet the former slave who taught himself to read & write, William Still

William Still (October 7, 1821- July 14, 1902) born in Shamong Township, New Jersey, USA.

A former slave who taught himself how to read and write, and became a wealthy man leaving between $750,000 and $1 million upon his death.

An active philanthropist and a social activist who worked tirelessly on the Underground Railroad, It’s estimated that Still helped as many as 60 slaves a month escaped to freedom.

He interviewed each person and kept careful records, including a brief biography and the destination for each, along with any nickname adopted.

He kept his records carefully hidden, knowing the accounts would be critical in aiding the future reunion of family members who became separated under slavery, which he had learned when he aided his own brother Peter whom he had not met before.

Still had a strong interest in the welfare of black youth. He helped to establish an orphanage and the first YMCA for African Americans in Philadelphia.

He also advocated for equal educational opportunities for all African Americans.

He owned Liberty Hall, which was the largest public hall in the US owned by a black man.

After the US civil war, he became an active philanthropist and social activist.

He was a member of the Freedmen's Aid Union and Commission, he was an officer of the Philadelphia Home for the Aged and Infirm Colored Persons.

A member of the board for the Soldiers and Sailors Orphan Home and the Home for the Destitute Colored Children.
He was a stock holder of the journal "the Nation".

He was a member of the board of trade in Philadelphia. He was an officer of the Social and Civil Statistical Association of Philadelphia.

In 1859, Still challenged the segregation of the city's public transit system, which had separate seating for whites and blacks, he kept lobbying till the Pennsylvania legislature passed a law to integrate trams across the state.

The New York Times acknowledged William Still as the “Father of the Underground Railroad” in his 1902 obituary.

Although, a born-free in New Jersey according to their state law, William Still was considered a slave according the law of Maryland and federal slave law, because his mother was an escapee slave from Maryland, she did not attain her freedom legally like his father did.