Puleo discusses Charles Sumner at Sherborn Library

By Isabell Macrina
Hometown Weekly Reporter

Sherborn Library welcomed author Stephen Puleo, known for his works “Dark Tide” and “Due to Enemy Action,” to speak about his newest book “The Great Abolitionist: Charles Sumner and the Fight for a More Perfect Union”. The book is a biography of Charles Sumner, United States Senator for Massachusetts from 1851-1874, and as described by Puleo “one of the most influential non-presidents in American History.”

Sumner was a republican senator from the run up to the Civil War to the reconstruction after. He has an unwavering opposition to slavery and was vocal on his opinions. He made the first anti-slavery speech against the Freedom National Slavery Sectional on the congressional floor in 1852, using the Constitution as his proof the documents that discourage slavery have been there all along. He lost the vote 47 to 4, but it got people talking.

Puleo is honest about the character of Sumner, saying that he was a difficult person to be around and made all his arguments at a great personal cost. He had a “difficult personality” and would only palatable in “small doses” which got the room laughing. This is also what made him such a powerful speaker; Sumner would bring personal insults into his speeches. He would call out political figures, insult personal lives, but that would make people listen to his political ideas and actions. His controversy made him someone to watch.

This controversy also cost him a lot. In one of these speeches, he insults Andrew Butler who had just had a stroke, and Congressman Preston Barnes was mad. After the speech, on the same floor he made it, Barnes beat Sumner with his cane and created the famous incident “The Caning” which Puleo also wrote a book on.

Sumner left to Europe for years to recover from great physical injury but his senate seat remained empty, which left a silence louder than any speech he gave. The incident was on the front of every paper and led to the Civil War, with thousands of northerners joining the abolitionist movement.

Sumner was also friends with President Lincoln, and their friendship changed the course of both of their lives and history. Sumner was in his ear, pushing Lincoln to issue the emancipation proclamation, and Lincoln taught Sumner the power of patience and making political moves.

Puleo’s book delves into the abolitionist and what would ultimately shape the future of America. It makes for a compelling read and is a must for any Civil War fanatic. Check out his books for other Massachusetts history stories and maybe learn a thing or two.