Eliza Paul Gurney

Eliza Paul Kirkbride Gurney (April 6, 1801 – 1888) was an American Quaker minister and poet. She was both a pacifist and an abolitionist.

Life

Eliza Paul Kirkbride was born in Philadelphia to Quakers Mary Pauil Kirkbride and Joseph Kirkbride.

In September 1837, Kirkbride met Joseph John Gurney while returning from England. The two worked together during his trip to the United States. In July 1841, Kirkbride was recognized as a minister by the Quaker Monthly Meeting in England. She married Gurney in October 1841. The two shared an interest in pacifism and abolitionism, and preached about and spoke with political figures (including Louis Philippe I) on the topics. They were also interested in prison reform and abolition, and preached on this topic in France and Germany. Gurney and her husband co-founded Earlham College in 1847, shortly before Joseph's death that year. The couple had three children.

Gurney returned to the United States from England in 1850. In 1851, she settled at West Hill, New Jersey. However, she continued to work as a traveling minister, and again went abroad to preach in England, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. She also continued to meet with political figures to try and incur change; in one instance, she was able to secure the release of a German man imprisoned for his conscientious refusal to bear arms after an audience with the King of Germany.

When not traveling, she hosted evening gatherings at her home in West Hill, which were well-attended by political figures, ministers, and fellow abolitionists.