Edward Wilmot Blyden (3 August 1832 – 7 February 1912) was an educator, writer, diplomat, andpolitician primarily in Liberia. born in the West Indies, he joined the free black immigrants to the region from the United States; he also taught for five years in Sierra Leone in the early 20th century. His writings on pan-Africanism were influential in both colonies, which were started during the slavery years for the resettlement of free blacks from the United States and Great Britain. His writings attracted attention in the sponsoring countries as well. He felt that Zionism was a model for what he called Ethiopianism, and that African Americans could return to Africa and redeem it. Later he supported Islam. Blyden was recognized as a youth for his talents and drive; he was educated and mentored by John Knox, an American Protestant minister, who encouraged him to continue his education in the United States. Blyden was refused admission in 1850 to three Northern theological seminaries because of his race. Knox encouraged him to go to Liberia, the colony set up for freedmen by the American Colonization Society, and he went that year, in 1850, making his career and life there. He married into a prominent family and soon started working as a journalist.
Posted on: Thu, 01 May 2014 22:23:49 +0000
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