Sydney Howard Gay

Sydney Howard Gay (1814–1888) was an American attorney, journalist and abolitionist who was active in New York City. Beginning in 1843, he was editor of the National Anti-Slavery Standard for 14 years. His offices became a stop of the Underground Railroad, and he became very active in collaborating with others to help fugitive slaves reach freedom.

He worked closely with Louis Napoleon, a free black man. For about two years, Gay kept a detailed record of the approximately 200 men whom he and Napoleon aided in what is known as the Record of Fugitives. Because Gay aided men coming from Philadelphia, some of his notes overlap materials by activist William Still of that city, who published his account in 1872.

Gay's Record was not discovered among his papers at Columbia University until the early 21st century. Gay and Napoleon may have aided an estimated 3,000 refugees, helping many get to upstate New York and Canada. His Record reveals what a large organization the Underground Railroad truly was, aided by hundreds of people from different walks of life.