Elihu Burritt (1810–79,) known as the Learned Blacksmith, was an American diplomat, philanthropist, linguist, pacifist, and social activist. A prolific lecturer, journalist, and writer, he traveled widely in the U.S. and Europe.
Born in New Britain, Connecticut, Burritt worked as a blacksmith in his native town and Worcester, Massachusetts, but devoted all his leisure to mathematics and languages. Massachusetts Governor Edward Everett introduced Burritt at a gathering of a teachers’ institute and called him the “Learned Blacksmith.”
Through his published works and his travels in the America and Europe, Burritt was celebrated for such humanitarian causes. He advocated the abolition of slavery, the dignity of the American worker, and the cause of world peace.
Burritt founded the Christian Citizen, a weekly paper in Worcester in 1844. He was President Abraham Lincoln’s consul in Birmingham, England, 1865–70.
Burritt published at least 37 books and articles, including Sparks from the Anvil (1846,) Walks in the Black Country (1868,) and Ten Minute Talks (1874.)
The Central Connecticut State University-New Britain named its library ‘Elihu Burritt Library’ in his honor.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Elihu Burritt
Among the instrumentalities of love and peace, surely there can be no sweeter, softer, more effective voice than that of gentle peace-breathing music.
—Elihu Burritt
Topics: Music
Forming characters! Whose? Our own, or others? Both. And in that momentous fact lies the peril and responsibility of our existence. Who is sufficient for the thought?
—Elihu Burritt
Topics: Influence
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Leave a Reply