Frances E. W. Harper

Frances E. W. Harper (1825–1911) was an abolitionist, poet, author, orator, suffragist, and teacher. She helped enslaved Black people escape through the Underground Railroad and frequently wrote for anti-slavery newspapers. She published numerous poetry collections and books, including Autumn Leaves (also published as Forest Leaves) (1845); Poems on Miscellaneous Subjects (1854), which was reprinted 20 times; Sketches of Southern Life (1872); and Iola Leroy (1892).