Owen Lovejoy

Lovejoy, Owen, 1811–64, American abolitionist, b. Albion, Maine, educated at Bowdoin College. He witnessed the killing of his brother Elijah P. Lovejoy, under whom he had studied for the ministry. Taking up Elijah's cause, he became the recognized leader of Illinois abolitionists, persuading them to accept the more conservative leadership of Lincoln and become a part of the Republican strength. For many years pastor of the Congregational Church at Princeton, Ill., he also served in Congress from 1857 until his death.

See study by E. Magdol (1967).