Spring Lecture Series: "John A.J. Creswell of Maryland: Journey to Abolition"

IMPORTANT:  In-person Attendance Limited to 10 individuals on a first come first serve basis.

In- person Attendees must show proof of ticket for in-person admission. No Admission without ticket.

When you think about the abolition of slavery in the United States, you are likely drawn to historical luminaries such as Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman. But hundreds of people worked out of the historical spotlight for many years advocating for an end to slavery, often with no recognition regardless of their reach or influence. John A.J. Creswell was one such figure who took a journey towards abolition from a position of relative ambivalence. After living as a successful businessman, lawyer, and local politician affiliated with the Whig Party in Port Deposit, MD he joined the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln and was elected to the United States Congress where he became the first to speak in support of the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As a friend of Ulysses S. Grant, Creswell went on to become Postmaster General, transforming the United States Postal Service into the most progressive employer in terms of diversity the U.S. had ever seen. This talk will focus on Creswell’s journey as an abolitionist, his influence in Maryland, and how his story was taken down from the attic of history.

Our Speakers

John M. Osborne, Ph.D.

John Osborne is Emeritus Professor of History from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, from which he retired after devoting more than 30 years to teaching. He is the co-founder of House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickison College. Additionally, John was Head Coach of Dickinson’s men’s soccer team for twelve years, leading the team to several championships. In addition to Forgotten Abolitionist: John A.J. Creswell of Maryland, he is the author of The Voluntary Recruiting Movement in Britain, 1914-1916 (1982) and articles on sports history. For many years, John taught “Introduction to Historical Methodology,” a rigorous course focused on historical research that periodically re-surfaced John A.J. Creswell. John earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University. 

Christine Bombaro, MLS

Chris Bombaro is Head Librarian at University of Massachusetts Global and former Associate Director of the Waidner-Spahr Library of Dickinson College, for which she won two awards for her innovative research instruction programs. In addition to Forgotten Abolitionist: John A.J. Creswell of Maryland, she is the author of numerous articles and books, notably Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Action: Planning, Leadership, and Programming (2020). Frequently partnering with Professor Osborne, she worked with history students at Dickinson for 19 years, helping them learn to research lesser-known but nonetheless notable figures such as John A.J. Creswell.