Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Thompson, George 1804-1878

Reformer; born in Liverpool, England, June 18, 1804; came to the United States at the request of William Lloyd Garrison to aid the abolition cause; addressed large meetings in the Northern States, and through his efforts 150 anti-slavery societies were formed. He was threatened by mobs several times, and once, when in Boston, escaped death by fleeing in a small boat to an English vessel, on which he sailed to England. His visit created much excitement and was denounced by President Jackson in a message to Congress. He revisited the United States in 1851, and again during the Civil War, when a public reception was given in his honor at which President Lincoln and his cabinet were present. In 1870 a testimonial fund was raised for him by his admirers in the United States and in England. He died in Leeds, England, Oct. 7, 1878.