# F. Sanborn

## Biography

Franklin Benjamin Sanborn (1831–1917) was an American journalist, author, social reformer, and abolitionist, deeply connected to the Transcendentalist movement. Born in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, he graduated from Harvard College in 1855 before establishing himself in Concord, Massachusetts. There, he became a schoolmaster and formed close friendships with literary giants such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Bronson Alcott, whose biographies he would later write.

A staunch abolitionist, Sanborn was part of the "Secret Six" who financially supported John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, an act that led to his brief arrest before being protected by the Massachusetts Supreme Court. His career in journalism included editorial roles at the Boston Commonwealth and a long tenure as a correspondent for the Springfield Republican. Sanborn was also a dedicated philanthropist, instrumental in founding various social welfare organizations and advocating for reforms in prisons and mental healthcare. He died in Plainfield, New Jersey, remembered for his extensive writings and his unwavering commitment to social justice.

## Books

- [Henry D. Thoreau](https://samolit.com/books/96776)