Sylvester Graham: Antebellum Reformist

Sylvester Graham, though not as well-known as some of the other Antebellum reformists, influenced not only 18th century culture, but culture today. Graham was born on July 5, 1794, in Connecticut. His father was 72 when he was born, and died when he was barely a toddler. His mother suffered from emotional and mental trauma later in his life, resulting in Graham being brought up in various households. Eventually, he turned to the ministry, and became a Presbyterian clergyman before becoming a leading figure in the temperance movement.
In the 1820s, Sylvester Graham married Sarah Earl and went on to work for the Pennsylvania Temperance Society. Many of his ideas were derived from English minister William Metcalfe’s own on vegetarianism and abstinence.