Keen On

Who is the most unsung hero of the American Civil War and Reconstruction? According to Zaakir Tameez, it’s the abolitionist statesmen Charles Sumner. In his eponymous new biography of Sumner, Tameez portrays Sumner as a model of "moral ambition" who sacrificed a promising corporate law career to fight for racial justice. As slavery's fiercest opponent, Tameez describes Sumner as the “conscience” of mid 19th century America. And he argues that Sumner’s famous Senate caning in 1856, his influence on Civil War-era legislation, his likely homosexuality, and his role mentoring young civil rights lawyers all should represent models of moral leadership for 21st century Americans. five key takeaways* Moral Ambition Over Self-Interest: Charles Sumner abandoned a lucrative corporate law career and prestigious academic prospects at Harvard to fight for racial justice, demonstrating how personal sacrifice can serve greater moral purposes.* Early Integration Pioneer: More than 100 years before Brown