Gough, John B. (John Bartholomew), 1817-1886

American temperance reformer; born in England.

Lecturer, reformer, and author.

Noted British Amercian temperance lecturer and author.

John Bartholomew Gough (1817-1886) was an English lecturer and temperance reformer. Originally born in Kent, England, he immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of 12. He was a drunkard as a young man, but reformed himself after attending a temperance meeting in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1842. He then began a career as a temperance lecturer, traveling throughout American, Canada and the British Isles. He was one of the most famous public speakers of the late 19th century.

Epithet: temperance preacher

John Bartholomew Gough (1817-1886) was a reformed drunkard who became an ardent and very successful temperance lecturer in the United States and Great Britain. He lived in Boylston, Mass., with his second wife, Mary Whitcomb Gough, who survived him. Although his principal lecturing topic was temperance, he gradually incorporated other subjects in his repertory and spoke before lyceums and social organizations.

John B. Gough was the most popular temperance lecturer of his era. Born in Kent, he had a precocious and serene childhood before emigrating to America at the age of twelve at his parent's suggestion. He left his apprenticeship at a farm and became a bookbinder, until the death of his mother seemed to trigger his descent into alcoholism. Perpetually drunk, he lost everything, but was introduced to a temperance lifestyle, and was soon earning a fine living as a lecturer. Despite very public relapses, his vitality and charismatic speeches kept him in demand as a lecturer in America and England, and his Autobiography was an influential best-seller.