Van Lew, Elizabeth L., 1818-1900

Variant names

Dates:

Birth 1818-10-25

Death 1900-09-25

Biographical notes:

American abolitionist and federal agent during the Civil War She was born on October 17, 1818 into a family of high social standing in Richmond, Virginia. For her education, she was sent to Philadelphia where her pro-Union leanings may have had their beginnings. When the war came, she was back in Richmond and was openly loyal to the Union which she relentlessly supplied with intelligence reports through relay stations run by her servants. She was reported to have freed her slaves and helped Union prisoners escape from their Southern captors Van Lew was also involved in the "Underground railroad". After the war, Pres. Grant appointed her Postmaster of Richmond and remained in that capacity until 1877. She was then appointed to the Post Office Department in Washington, finally resigning her post during the Cleveland administration. She returned to Richmond where she spent the remaining years of her life working for women's rights. Van Lew died at the age of 82 on September 25, 1900 and was buried in Shockoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond.