George Washington WilliamsGeorge Washington Williams (October 16, 1849 – August 2, 1891) was a Baptist clergyman, politician, lawyer, journalist, and author of African-American history. He moved to the Congo Free State (then owned by the monarch) in 1890 after being impressedby seeing monarch Leopold II of Belgium. In 1890, he sent an open letter to Leopold about the suffering of the region's native population at the hands of the king's agents, shocked by the widespread violent abuses and slavery forced on the Congolese. This letter, which popularized the term "crimes against humanity," sparked a worldwide outcry against the Congolese regime, which had caused millions of deaths. His brothers were John, Thomas, and Harry Lawsom Williams, and he was the oldest of four children. The boys' education was limited. Williams remained in a "house of refuge" for a period, where he learnt barbering, which was considered a competent and desirable occupation at the time. During the American Civil War, Williams ran away and enlisted in the Union Army under an assumed name at the age of 14; he fought in the final battles. Read More Read Less
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