Vigilance: The Life of William Still, Father of the Underground Railroad

by Andrew K. Diemer

The remarkable and inspiring story of William Still, an unknown abolitionist who dedicated his life to managing a critical section of the Underground Railroad in Philadelphia—the free state directly north of the Mason-Dixon Line—helping hundreds of people escape from slavery.

Born free in 1821 to two parents who had been enslaved, William Still was drawn to antislavery work from a young age. Hired as a clerk at the Anti-Slavery office in Philadelphia after teaching himself to read and write, he began directly assisting enslaved people who were crossing over from the South into freedom. Andrew Diemer captures the full range and accomplishments of Still’s life, from his resistance to Fugitive Slave Laws and his relationship with John Brown before the war, to his long career fighting for citizenship rights and desegregation until the early twentieth century.
 
Despite Still’s disappearance from history books, during his lifetime he was known as “the Father of the Underground Railroad.” Working alongside Harriet Tubman and others at the center of the struggle for Black freedom, Still helped to lay the groundwork for long-lasting activism in the Black community, insisting that the success of their efforts lay not in the work of a few charismatic leaders, but in the cultivation of extensive grassroots networks.  Through meticulous research and engaging writing, Vigilance establishes William Still in his rightful place in American history as a major figure of the abolitionist movement.
 

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Civil War, Biography Memoir, Historical, Race

412 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2022

About the author

ANDREW DIEMER is an associate professor at Towson University. He earned his PhD from Temple University and is author of The Politics of Black Citizenship: Free African Americans in the Mid-Atlantic Borderland, 1817-1863, published by the University of Georgia Press in 2016. He lives in Philadelphia.

Reviews

[Mariama Thorlu-Bangura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating, in-depth account of the life of William Still. Andrew Diemer does a magnificent job presenting Still's life to the reader. I learned not just about Still, but about his role in the abolitionist community of Philadelphia and the immense impact he had on the Underground Railroad. His life and the times he lived In & through have been overlooked, relegated to maybe a few paragraphs in many history textbooks. Therefore this book is most needed, to bring this illustrious person to the forefront. If nothing else, it will surely make one willing to learn more about him, the Underground Railroad itself, and the history of abolition in America overall. This is a five-star book. Kudos to Diemer for writing it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing for this ARC, which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Richard Bon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meticulously researched and well written, Diemer's detailed description of Still's life is as fascinating as it is informative, and reads like a collection of short stories. In addition to learning so much about the life of William Still, I thoroughly enjoyed Diemer's depiction of the political climate from the 1850s through the 1880s- the intensity of partisan rivalries of those years resonated with me as similar to today's.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been too long since I've read a good biography, and Diemer delivered with Vigilance, telling the life story of William Still, who shepherded the Underground Railroad effort in Philadelphia. Still helped William "Box" Brown liberate himself (Brown was the one who mailed himself to a free state) and even found his own long-lost brother through the network. Diemer writes engagingly and responsibly relates the drama that made up Still's life and antislavery efforts. In telling Still's story, Diemer argues that the Underground Railroad operated by the self-will of people who made every effort to free themselves, only assisted by the efforts of workers like Still, Harriet Tubman, and others, who are not to be considered "saviors." In this argument, Diemer furthers Still's own telling of the stories; Still was eager to praise and uplift the agency of people whom he helped navigate to freedom rather than pat himself on the back. Diemer also takes pains to illustrate the fluctuations of public opinions surrounding slavery and the many challenges Still and others faced in the antislavery movement. He places Still among his contemporaries like the Motts, Frederick Douglass, and William Lloyd Garrison, which makes this a consequential biography in the history of the antislavery movement.

Overall, Vigilance was great reading. Recommended.

[Ronald E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must acknowledge Author Andrew K. Diemer's long time research in uncovering material on William Still, a little known abolitionist who played a major role in assisting enslaved people crossing over from the South into freedom. Several years ago I viewed a movie where Harriet Tubman a famous enslaved fugitive frightened by rumors that she was to be sold ran away with her two brothers to the safe free black community of Philadelphia for protection from her master's property. It was at this time in the movie when Harriet met William Still.

Thank you Author Diemer for bringing the life of William Still, Father of the Underground Railroad, to his rightful place in American history as a major figure of the abolitionist movement. This story should be read by all Americans.

[Roger Smitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book goes into the war in which we Americans fought against each other, drivenby the issue of slaves. A reader gives us a very different view of the war. And, he does little with the events of the war. We get a piece of history before the war rose to the worst time in the US. The middle of the book will keep a reader gets an idea of the things that about what happened.

It’s not the history book you got in your junior year (both high school and college). A group of such readers can read the book and then tell their history teacher he/she missed in their learning.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written and readable biography of an American who deserves to be much more widely known. The book added considerably to my understanding of the history of black America leading up to and following the Civil War. The history of the underground railroad is an important focus of this book, but there is also a lot of attention to the first civil rights era before and after that war. William Still is probably not as well known among white Americans as he should be and this book is a wonderful I production to his life and times.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning biography of William Still. He's rarely, if ever, brought up when talking about the UGGR. Diemer does an amazing job in showing who this man was and gives an unbiased view to this time period.

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting biography that puts to rest the idea of White deliverance for escaped slaves as it describes the vigorous and robust support Blacks played in their own freedom. Interesting chapter on what life was like for escaped slaves who made it to Canada.

[Jj Burch · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many specters
Of the past are still here to
Learn from. But have we?

[Ron Maskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with a lot of information on William Still. Highly recommended for all.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still was heavily involved with the Underground Railroad in his younger years, during the war he started concentrating on business and became wealthy. He remained heavily involved in voting rights and charities. His book, "Underground Railroad" sold 1,000s of copies, which was $4-7 dollar, a best seller for those times. Machine politics rears it's ugly head, with volunteer fire brigades being political groups of filled with hooligans.

This was an interesting look at 19th century black middle class life in Philadelphia.

[Marcella Chatham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was about halfway to a living book, I would probably prefer a real living book about William Still as I seem to retain so much more information that way, so stars off for that.
One thing I did take away from this is that even directly after the abolition of slavery on a federal level, to be rid of the evils of segregation on the state and local level, was extremely complicated. The lawful abolition of something does not get rid of it in people's hearts and minds and people like William Still and his colleagues fought to abolish racial prejudices people still clung to due to ignorance or pride.
There were a couple of stories from Still's experiences of helping slave fugitives that really gripped my attention. I will probably be searching for more works on him and his life.

I listened to the audiobook for free on Libby.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded down because I was definitely interested in Still's life and accomplishments, but the writing detracted from my reading experience. Too many run on sentences, too dry in places. I found the section on Still's life post Civil War the least engaging. Worth reading if you are very interested in the Underground Railroad, as I have always been, but not a compelling writing style.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I love this era and topic and setting, it was my jam. Diemer does a good job of not being too academic in his writing style and leaves no doubt he's done his research!

[Paul Sutter]

VIGILANCE is a most important and impressive book, one that historians and scholars must add to their reading lists and collections. It presents a vital part of American history, giving people the true story of William Still, who became known as the Father of the Underground Railroad.
He was a most humble man, someone who saw the world as unjust and unfair and wanted to do something to help change that for Black people. William Still was born free into a family that had known nothing but slavery. He saw the world around him filled with hatred and anger toward his race. He wanted to make a difference, which he did beyond his wildest dreams.
What author Diemer does is elevate the status of Still from a footnote in the history books, to a man who took chances when no one else would. In fact it shows how one person could make a difference into the lives of countless people.
Still taught himself to read and write, and with his newfound knowledge, he realized there was more than injustice in the world around him. He worked in the offices of the Anti-Slavery society, where he ran into his own brother, who was desperate to learn about his other family members. Still worked in the shadow of Harriet Tubman, another key figure in the Underground Railroad as networks were created to help slaves escape their plight, and find the path to freedom.
Still was key in helping people get in contact with family, as he kept precise records of people who had escaped through the Underground Railroad. Many found themselves in New York and a sizeable number came through Canada, where in that country there was definitely not the same attitude toward Black people. They were welcomed with open arms and such regions as Chatham Ontario became a key area for Blacks to become respected members of the populace.
Still certainly was many things to many people. He was a very wealthy businessman thanks to his dealing in the coal trade. Everything he did was selfless, and for the greater good, and VIGILANCE goes into great detail just how much he accomplished and made a difference in the Black community and world in general. With almost 100 additional pages of notes, bibliography, and index, the book pays tribute to a great American hero, very long overdue. It is essential reading for scholars, and those wishing to read a most inspirational book.

[Debra Pawlak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reading copy of this book from NetGalley.com in exchange for a fair review. Abolitionist William Still is known as 'The Father of the Underground Railroad' and with good reason. Born a free man in 1821, his mother was an escaped slave. Still himself, a hardworking self-made man, settled in Philadelphia where he helped hundreds of enslaved people like his mother, escape from their masters. He took a job as a clerk in Philadelphia's Anti-Slavery office. It was in this position that he was able to aid hundreds of black people to escape to Canada where they could live freely. His contemporaries included John Brown, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglass. Still taught himself to read and write and while helping those less fortunate, he became a successful well-to-do businessman who was respected by both blacks and whites in his community. He kept meticulous records of those former slaves that he helped escape and even visited them in Canada to ensure their well-being. Interestingly enough, it was the Democratic Party that was pro-slavery and the Republican Pary that was against it. Even after the Civil War when slavery was abolished, he continued to work hard for equality and civil rights such as voting. He was a man of faith, a non-drinker, a non-smoker and encouraged other black men and women to work hard and make a life for themselves. Author Andrew K. Diemer did a thorough job researching and writing this biography. My only complaint was that sometimes this book read like a textbook and many paragraphs were quite long. Other than that, it was a fascinating read. William Still and his many contributions should not be forgotten. Thank you to Mr. Diemer for bringing this important man front and center.

[Ddoddmccue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historian Andrew Diemer provides a masterful biography of William Still of the Underground Rail Road (UGRR) fame. And also abolition, black citizenship and suffrage, temperance, streetcar integration, education and self improvement, upward mobility, and a few partisan involvements.

Without tarnishing Still’s considerable achievements, this biography presents a balanced picture of a complex, sometimes difficult man with high personal, racial, and societal standards. While his efforts were often commendable, he was no stranger to ambition, self endorsement, or highly publicized conflicts and inconsistencies. His UGRR efforts, while best known, capture only a short period of a long life.

Diemer mines rich primary and secondary sources, and presents them in focused chapters that should appeal to both academic and general audiences. It is well worth reading, not only as a biography but as a reminder that some of the same issues Still and his contemporaries faced remain unresolved.

[Susann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really heavy going. I raced through the last 50 pages because I couldn't deal with any more politics. Still was obviously a great, learned and respected man who made an amazing contribution on all fronts to the cause of various freedoms for Black Americans pre and post Civil War. I found it fascinating that Pennnsylvania, especially Philadelphia, had such liberal views on the slavery issues. Still had the ear and support of many influential people of both races and put it to good use, constantly lobbying and fundraising. His part in getting so many slaves to freedom was epic! He was tireless. My problem was with the author's writing style. Yes, he is learned and the book well researched, but it was quite ponderous reading. I could only do about fifteen to twenty pages before my lids closed. A LOT of detail to get through. Not much real information about the workings of the Underground Railroad if that is what you are looking for.

[Jamie Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black history is something I am aiming to learn more about. This book helped me learn more about the man who started the Underground Railroad and the reasons why. William Still worked for the Anti-Slavery office and it was hard to trust white people even the anti slavery ones because they turned on the blacks sometimes. It saddens me a lot. This is a great history read and also gives more insight into black culture and their own history. William Still was a major player in the abolitionist movement. At the beginning hen his long lost older brother whom his mother had to leave behind when she left for freedom, but somehow the son found his brother. This made me cry for many reasons, finding each other and why they were torn apart in the first place.

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful biography of William Still who fought for an end to slavery, and the recognition of the equality and rights blacks deserved throughout his long life. The book details his tireless efforts to help people escape slavery not just in the dramatic work of the Underground Railroad but in his daily efforts to shelter, support and uplift the newly freed. He constantly helped his community fight against injustice and develop the tools to support themselves. Still was a man ahead of his time who used his entire life and all his resources to advance his race. This book gives a detailed description of all his achievements and frustrations.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Still is somewhat overlooked today, despite being perhaps the most important person involved in the Underground Railroad. From Philadelphia, he coordinated a vast network of people aiding those escaping slavery as they made their way north, many all the way to Canada. The best parts of the book deal with the individual narratives of these people as they traversed treacherous waters in creative and courageous ways. His later-in-life feuds with different civil rights leaders are important, but much less inspiring.

[Mystic Miraflores · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a meticulously-research historical book with a detailed narrative. I had never heard of William Still until I saw on PBS an hour-long show about him. But that show only showed one percent of his life story. It didn’t even mention his wife! It seemed to indicate that he lived alone and sheltered the fugitives on his own. I’m glad this book set the record straight! I only wish I knew where Still’s descendants are and what they are doing to preserve and publicize his legacy.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Still is a neglected abolitionist figure and this excellent biography goes a long way towards him reclaiming his rightful place in history. He was a key figure on the Underground Railroad, managing a particular section near where he lived, and worked tirelessly all his life for civil rights. Well researched, accessibly written, the book provides a vital contribution to black and abolitionist studies.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting stories about the time period. I was already familiar with many events but this book focuses a lot on the political and abolitionist activism which I found really interesting. Hoping to read Still's book one day although the author made it sound like it was a tough read. Sprinkled with modern-day social justice vocabulary but didn't decrease my enjoyment of the book.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to learn more about the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement. I thought the writing was great for the first 80%. The last 20% could have been edited down. However, I really enjoyed the book and recommend it.

[Laura Valenziano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! I wasn't aware of William Still and his involvement in the Underground Railroad prior to discovering the book. It is very well written and hard to put down. I found myself thinking about it at other times of the day. It has my hearty recommendation!

[Gilbert Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great man and story. Many different topics can be discussed after reading this book. The thing that stood out the most is that we are still dealing with the same things in society and politically today minus the brutality and government-sanctioned slavery.

[Alex Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent in-depth look at the Underground Railroad and the networking, administration and human sacrifice that went into it. Still's personality sometimes takes a backseat to the story of what he created, but that feels appropriate to his approach to his work.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written narrative of the life of William Still, includes the standard stories of Ellen Craft, Box Brown, and the various antislavery activities in the North. Breaks no new ground.

[Meg Koch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This life of William Still filled some of my knowledge gaps. Very informative, very interesting, very readable.