Theodore Sedgewick Wright

Theodore Sedgewick Wright (1797–1847), more commonly known as Theodore S. Wright, was a Presbyterian minister and abolitionist. (His middle name was usually spelled Sedgwick.) He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1828. He was a founding member of the American Anti-Slavery Society, an interracial group that included Samuel Cornish, a black Presbyterian, and many Congregationalists.

Wright was born to a free African-American family in Providence, Rhode Island. At the age of 28, he was admitted to American Institute of higher learning, becoming the second man of color ever to be admitted to the institute. In 1825 he joined the Princeton Seminary, soon graduating and becoming a pastor at the First Colored Presbyterian Church in New York. Wright founded and helped develop the American Anti-slavery society, the Union Missionary Society, and the American Missionary Association.

Wright was a prominent activist, and in contributing to these organizations gave frequent speeches and was successful in his endeavors, contributing greatly to the anti-slave movement.

Portrait Theodore S. Wright

At age 50, Wright passed away from possible exhaustion, something we should all try to avoid. He was an influential person who was passionate about the development of youth, first-rate education, spreading the gospel, and abolishing slavery.

Grave

References

2. Cady, G. Scott. "Year with American Saints." Google Books, 1948, books.google.com/books?id=T8XGEq5cHZYC&pg=PA108&lpg=PA108&dq=%22theodore%2Bsedgewick%2Bwright%22&source=bl&ots=lniqLtKiIY&sig=6_W-UbrHs_Y1whx4lGVXh4mS5YE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiw96mfp8DZAhXMq1MKHb9cCyUQ6AEISjAG#v=onepage&q=%22theodore%20sedgewick%20wright%22&f=false.