The Magnificent Activist

Howard Meyer is to be commended for his efforts at rescuing T. W. Higginson from the dustbin of history. All Americans, and especially African Americans, should know something of him. Clergyman, historian, author, early women's rights supporter, abolitionist, Colonel in the Union Army, T.W.H is a man worth knowing about - a true intellectual man of action. I have read Meyer's earlier works on T.W.H and benefited from them.While browsing at a brick & mortar bookstore yesterday evening I came across Mr. Meyer's new book and casually fanned through it. I was horrified to see that the only (I think) photograph published within the book is that of a young college-age Wentworth, with unattractively long hair, and the look of an idle popinjay: imagine, if you will, a combination of Oscar Wilde and Virginia Woolf (and actually more of the latter). Howard, what in God's name were you thinking of? To potential readers: purchase the book and learn about a man of high caliber who not only talked the talk but walked the walk. If you agree with me about the photograph, excise it and mail it back to the publisher. Mr. Meyer's editor may thereby profit from the experience.