John Rankin (1793–1886) was another towering figure among Southern Presbyterian abolitionists, whose work in both Kentucky and Ohio had a profound impact on the movement to end slavery. Born in Tennessee, Rankin was raised in a devout Presbyterian family that instilled in him strong moral and theological convictions. After studying for the ministry, he began preaching in Kentucky, where he quickly gained a reputation for his unwavering opposition to slavery. As a minister in the Presbyterian Church, he used his pulpit to denounce slavery as an affront to Christian principles and human dignity. Rankin was actively involved with the Kentucky Abolition Society, working alongside other anti-slavery advocates to challenge the state’s legal and social structures that upheld the institution.
Rankin’s theological justification for abolition was deeply rooted in the Reformed tradition, particularly the belief that all people were created in God’s image and that Christians had a duty to oppose oppression. He believed that slavery was incompatible with the Gospel and that those who claimed biblical support for the institution were misinterpreting Scripture. His book, Letters on American Slavery (1826), was widely circulated and became one of the most influential abolitionist texts of its time. In these letters, Rankin directly confronted the arguments of pro-slavery theologians, dismantling their justifications for human bondage and calling on Christians to actively oppose the practice.
His work in Ripley not only aided freedom seekers but also inspired other abolitionists, including Harriet Beecher Stowe, who cited Rankin as a major influence on Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Rankin’s life and legacy exemplify the courage and moral clarity that defined many Presbyterian abolitionists in the South, demonstrating that faith and justice were inseparable. His contributions to the Underground Railroad, his theological writings, and his relentless advocacy helped to shape the national debate on slavery and galvanized the abolitionist movement.
Anthony B. Bradley | Kentucky Presbyterian Abolitionists: The Calvinist Case Against Slavery | February 4, 2025
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