John Brown Russwurm (October 1, 1799 – June 9, 1851) was a Jamaican-born abolitionist and pioneer in the fields of journalism, education, and governance, who dedicated his life to improving the lives of black people and promoting their voices in society. As co-founder of Freedom’s Journal, the first black owned and operated newspaper in the United States, and later as a leader in Liberia, Russwurm left a lasting impact that continues to resonate today.
Born to an Uknown Mother
Russwurm was born John Brown in Port Antonio, Jamaica, to an English father and a black mother. Virtually nothing is known of his mother, not even her name. His father, John Brown, was from a wealthy American family of merchants. It was while on a visit to Jamaica that he met what a number of nineteenth-century sources referred to as a “Creole” woman.
An 1848 Report states that his father married a “coloured woman” from “a very respectable family, by whom he had his son John.” So little is know of her that different sources identify her as a slave, a free woman of colour, a housekeeper, and as either a negro or mullato woman.
John lived in Jamaica until his father sent him to Quebec, Canada, to study. He and his father eventually moved to Maine where his father died shortly thereafter, but not before changing his name from John Brown to John Brown Russwurm.
3rd Black Student to Graduate College in America
After moving to Maine in the United States, he continued his education, eventually becoming the first black graduate of Bowdoin College in 1826 and only the third African-American to graduate from college in America.
Russwurm’s academic journey was defined by his passion for black liberation. His graduation speech at Bowdoin focused on the Haitian Revolution and the significance of Toussaint L’Ouverture’s leadership—a bold move at a time when such topics were not widely discussed. This interest in the broader struggles of people of African descent set the stage for his later work in media and governance.
Mr. Russwurm became interested in Black liberation during college. He wrote term papers on Toussaint L’Overture and his graduation speech focused on the Haitian Revolution.
In 1970 Bowdain College established the Russwurm African American Center “in honor of Bowdoin’s first black graduate, John Brown Russwurm, class of 1826.”
First Black-Owned Newspaper in America
After college he considered immigration to Haiti or teaching in Boston but decided to move to New York where he met Samuel Cornish.
He and Cornish, an African American Presbyterian minister edited and published the very first African-American newspaper, “Freedom’s Journal”, which first appeared in 1827. It was started as a response to the racism of established media, an advocate for abolition and education of free Blacks.
Under the motto “We wish to plead our own cause,” Russwurm and Cornish aimed to inform, uplift, and inspire free Blacks. The newspaper published news, opinion pieces, poetry, and announcements, while also directly challenging negative stereotypes that were common in the media at the time. This was a bold and innovative effort to reshape public perceptions and ensure that African Americans were seen, heard, and respected.
A Pan Africanist at Heart
Though Freedom’s Journal began as an abolitionist publication, Russwurm’s perspective shifted as he grew disillusioned with the possibility of achieving racial equality in America. He increasingly saw recolonization to Africa as the solution, believing that freed Blacks could build better lives in a country of their own. In essence, Russwurm’s interests resemble a pre-Garvey PanAfricanism movement. Surprisingly, Pan Africanist literature rarely mentions Russwurm.
This change in direction caused a rift with co-founder Samuel Cornish and alienated many readers, leading to the closure of Freedom’s Journal in 1829. Unwavering in his convictions, in 1829 Russwurm decided to leave the United States and settle in Liberia, a new colony established by the American Colonisation Society.
First Black Governor of Liberia
Liberia suffered a dearth of Black intellectuals during this time and Mr. Russwurm was much in demand upon his arrival. He quickly became a prominent figure, taking on key roles in the colony’s development. He served as Colonial Secretary and editor of The Liberia Herald, using his journalism skills to advocate for the growth and stability of the new settlement. His leadership qualities were soon recognised, and in 1836, he was appointed the first black Governor of Maryland County, Liberia.
Russwurm’s time in Liberia was marked by his efforts to bridge cultural divides, foster economic development, and establish positive diplomatic relations with neighbouring African states. He learned many African languages, worked tirelessly to create opportunities for newly arrived freed Blacks to integrate with the local population, established positive relationships with neighboring nations, and worked diplomatically with whites.
His administration also supported and enhanced agriculture and trade. In 1833, John married Sarah McGill, daughter of the Lieutenant-Governor of Monrovia, Liberia, they had four children.
Legacy of a Visionary
John Brown Russwurm’s legacy is that of a visionary who used his intellect and influence to uplift and represent African Americans, both in the United States and in Liberia. He was far ahead of his time in recognising the role of media in shaping public perception and challenging entrenched biases. Through Freedom’s Journal, he laid the groundwork for African American journalism and inspired future generations to continue advocating for justice and equality.
When Russwurm passed away in Liberia in 1851, his contributions to black journalism and leadership were already being felt. Nearly 30 African American-owned newspapers had sprung up across the United States, many echoing the calls for abolition and empowerment that Russwurm had championed. His life’s work remains a testament to the power of words and leadership in the quest for freedom and dignity.
