National Temperance Society and Publishing House

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The National Temperance Society and Publishing House was a publishing house which advocated personal alcohol temperance and a governmental ban on the personal consumption of alcohol. It was based in New York City.

National Temperance Society and Publishing Company
Founded1865
Country of originUnited States

Foundation

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It was founded in 1865 following a two-day, non-denominational conference of temperance advocates Saratoga Springs, New York. Among its founders were William E. Dodge, Neal Dow and James Black.[1] Dodge was elected president and held the position until his death in 1883.[2]

Publications

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During its first 60 years, it published over a billion pages of literature in support of the temperance movement. Its three monthly magazines had a combined circulation of about 600,000. They were The National Temperance Advocate for adults, The Youth's Temperance Banner for adolescents, and The Water Lily for children. The Society also published over 2,000 books and pamphlets in addition to textbooks, posters and flyers.

The group's archive is held by the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia.[3]

Notable people

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  • James Black (prohibitionist) (1823-1893), American temperance movement activist and a founder of the Prohibition Party.
  • Julia Colman (1828–1909), American temperance educator, activist, editor, writer
  • Sara Jane Crafts (1845–1930), educator, author, social reformer
  • George Cruikshank (1792-1878), British caricaturist and book illustrator
  • William E. Dodge (1805-1883), American businessman, politician and activist who served as the organization's founding president (1865-1883)
  • William E. Dodge Jr. (1832-1903), American copper magnate, activist, and philanthropist. He was the son of William E. Dodge
  • Neal Dow, (1804-1897), American temperance advocate and politician
  • James J. Spelman (1841-1894), American was a journalist and politician in New York and Mississippi

References

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  1. ^ Martin, Scott C. (2014). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Alcohol: Social, Cultural, and Historical Perspectives. SAGE Publications. p. 484. ISBN 978-1-4833-3108-9.
  2. ^ Spooner, Walter W. (1891). The Cyclopædia of Temperance and Prohibition: A Reference Book of Facts, Statistics, and General Information on All Phases of the Drink Question, the Temperance Movement and the Prohibition Agitation. Funk & Wagnalls. pp. 156–157.
  3. ^ "Guide to the National Temperance Society and Publication House Records". Presbyterian Historical Society. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
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