George Washington Williams

George Washington Williams
George Washington Williams (1849–1891) was an American historian, journalist, and soldier who is best known for his pioneering work on African American history. His most notable book, "History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880," was one of the first comprehensive histories of African Americans in the U.S., documenting their experiences from slavery to post-Civil War Reconstruction. Williams also traveled to the Congo in the late 1880s, where he exposed the brutal exploitation of the Congolese people by King Leopold II in his "Open Letter" to the monarch, which is regarded as an early human rights critique. His work highlighted the injustices faced by marginalized communities and continues to influence historical scholarship.

Author's Books:


CHAPTER I. 1800-1825. Commencement of the Nineteenth Century.—Slave Population of 1800.—Memorial Presented to Congress calling Attention to the Slave-trade to the Coast of Guinea.—Georgia cedes the Territory lying West of her to become a State.—Ohio adopts a State Constitution.—William Henry Harrison appointed Governor of the Territory of Indiana.—An Act of Congress prohibiting the... more...

CHAPTER I. THE UNITY OF MANKIND. The Biblical Argument.—One Race and One Language.— One Blood.—The Curse of Canaan.   DURING the last half-century, many writers on ethnology, anthropology, and slavery have strenuously striven to place the Negro outside of the human family; and the disciples of these teachers have endeavored to justify their views by the most dehumanizing treatment of the Negro.... more...