Abolitionist Founding Father John Rankin's Courage To Speak the Truth with Caleb Franz

Caleb Franz is the host of Profiles in Liberty and author of "The Conductor: The Story of Rev. John Rankin, Abolitionism's Essential Founding Father," and he joins us to discuss Rankin's Presbyterian upbringing in the South, his passionate opposition to slavery, and the influential letters he wrote to his brother, which sparked a broader public dissection of the institution of slavery. These writings, akin to 'The Federalist Papers' of abolitionism, played a crucial role in shaping the abolitionist movement, impacting figures like William Lloyd Garrison and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Franz also explores Rankin's challenges, including physical threats and societal opposition, underscoring his importance as a unifying figure whose efforts transcended abolitionism. The episode delves into Franz's book's origin and evolution, Rankin's legacy's impact, and the importance of acknowledging the contributions of figures lost to history. Preorder the book: The Conductor: The Story of Rev. John Rankin, Abolitionism's Essential Founding Father - https://amzn.to/4ck3dnx Do you have comments or questions about this episode? Visit it on ChrisSpangle.com and leave one! --- Join our Patreon now for commercial-free shows, bonus content, and our complete archives - https://www.patreon.com/wearelibertarians --- Join our Facebook Group to meet other listeners. - https://www.facebook.com/groups/walnutssociety --- Visit Chris-Spangle.com to see my other podcasts and projects or to add me on social. www.Chris-Spangle.com --- Looking to start a podcast? Download my podcast Podcasting and Platforms now, and check out my recommendations for buying the right equipment. Chris Spangle and Leaders and Legends, LLC edited and produced this podcast. If you want to start a podcast or take yours to the next level, please get in touch with us at LeadersAndLegends.net. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices