Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864

Giddings was an abolitionist congressman from the Western Reserve of Ohio. He studied law in the office of Elisha Whittlesey at Canfield, Ohio, in 1821 was admitted to the bar. It is claimed that Giddings later had significant influence on Lincoln's thinking toward the abolition of slavery.

Ohio state representative, U.S. congressman, anti-slavery advocate, and consul general to the British North American provinces.

American legistator.

American legislator.

Lawyer, abolitionist and Member of Congress from Ohio.

Joshua R. Giddings (1795-1864) was a militant anti-slavery politican who served as U.S. Representative from Ohio. His son-in-law and biographer George W. Julian served as U.S. Representative from Indiana.

U.S. representative, of Ohio.

Joshua R. Giddings was a U.S. representative from Ohio, abolitionist, and consul general to Canada; his son-in-law and biographer, George Washington Julian, was a U.S. representative from Indiana.

American statesman and prominent opponent of slavery, Joshua Reed Giddings (1795-1864) was born in Pennsylvania to farmer Joshua Giddings and Elizabeth Pease. As a child, the family moved to Ohio’s Western Reserve, where Joshua Reed Giddings would live for the rest of his life. In 1821, with no formal education, Giddings was admitted to the Ohio bar. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1826-1827, and the United States House between 1838 and 1859; first running as a Whig, then a Free-soiler, followed by a stint in the Opposition party before ending his career as a Republican.

A prominent opponent of slavery, Giddings argued that slavery was a state institution and thus should be abolished in the District of Columbia and the Territories. Known for his violent language and support of slave uprisings as well as condemning the annexation of Texas, the Mexican War, the 1850 Compromises, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Giddings was also active in the Underground Railroad throughout his life. After failing to be nominated in 1859, Giddings spent the reminder of his life in Canada as the U. S. consul general.

American statesman and prominent opponent of slavery, Joshua Reed Giddings (1795-1864) was born in Pennsylvania to farmer Joshua Giddings and Elizabeth Pease.

As a child, the family moved to Ohio's Western Reserve, where Joshua Reed Giddings would live for the rest of his life. In 1821, with no formal education, Giddings was admitted to the Ohio bar. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1826-1827, and the United States House between 1838 and 1859; first running as a Whig, then a Free-soiler, followed by a stint in the Opposition party before ending his career as a Republican.

A prominent opponent of slavery, Giddings argued that slavery was a state institution and thus should be abolished in the District of Columbia and the Territories.

Known for his violent language and support of slave uprisings as well as condemning the annexation of Texas, the Mexican War, the 1850 Compromises, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Giddings was also active in the Underground Railroad throughout his life. After failing to be nominated in 1859, Giddings spent the reminder of his life in Canada as the U. S. consul general.