#OTD: Abolitionist James Forten Born in 1766 episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 2, 2025 · 0 MIN

#OTD: Abolitionist James Forten Born in 1766

from AURN News · host Ebony McMorris, Clay Cane, Jamie Jackson

On this day in 1766, James Forten was born in Philadelphia. A free Black man, Forten became a successful sailmaker and inventor, developing an improved sail design that earned him respect in a trade dominated by white craftsmen. He used his wealth and influence to support abolitionist causes, fund antislavery publications, and aid the Underground Railroad. Forten believed in education and opportunity for Black Americans and became a leading voice against colonization schemes. He passed away on March 4, 1842, leaving a legacy of resistance, innovation and justice. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this day in 1766, James Forten was born in Philadelphia. A free Black man, Forten became a successful sailmaker and inventor, developing an improved sail design that earned him respect in a trade dominated by white craftsmen. He used his wealth and influence to support abolitionist causes, fund antislavery publications, and aid the Underground Railroad. Forten believed in education and opportunity for Black Americans and became a leading voice against colonization schemes. He passed away on March 4, 1842, leaving a legacy of resistance, innovation and justice. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter

NOW PLAYING

#OTD: Abolitionist James Forten Born in 1766

0:00 0:58

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of AURN News?

This episode is 0 minutes long.

When was this AURN News episode published?

This episode was published on September 2, 2025.

What is this episode about?

On this day in 1766, James Forten was born in Philadelphia. A free Black man, Forten became a successful sailmaker and inventor, developing an improved sail design that earned him respect in a trade dominated by white craftsmen. He used his wealth...

Can I download this AURN News episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!