Edward Coles: 1786-1868 is a biographical book written by Wilbur Theodore Norton and published in 1911. The book tells the life story of Edward Coles, who was an American politician and abolitionist. Coles was born in Virginia in 1786 and inherited slaves from his father. However, he became convinced that slavery was immoral and decided to free his slaves and move to Illinois, where slavery was illegal. In Illinois, Coles became involved in politics and was elected as the state's second governor in 1822. He was a strong advocate for abolition and worked to prevent the spread of slavery in the state. Coles also played a key role in the formation of the Illinois Anti-Slavery Society and was a close friend of Abraham Lincoln. The book provides a detailed account of Coles' life, including his upbringing in Virginia, his decision to free his slaves, his political career in Illinois, and his contributions to the abolitionist movement. It also explores the social and political context of the time, including the debates around slavery and the tensions between the North and South. Overall, Edward Coles: 1786-1868 is a well-researched and informative biography that sheds light on an important figure in American history. It offers insights into the complex issues of slavery and abolition, as well as the political and social landscape of the early 19th century.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.