54 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
There were those also of an alien race, whose only kinship with 
the oppressed was that of the soul, who took part in this crusade. 
Notable among these was Dr. Alexander M. Ross, a native of Ontario, 
a cititzen of Toronto, a man of culture and of distinguished scientific 
attainments, who devoted his energies with impassioned zeal to the 
succour of the slave. Mrs. Stowe’s tear-compelling story of “ Uncle 
Tom’s Cabin” was to him a revelation and a command. Upon read- . 
ing it his resolution was taken, he says, to devote all his energies to 
let the oppressed go free. Dr. Ross was a naturalist of distinguished 
merit. He won name and fame in the old world and the new for 
his scientific studies, and received decorations from several European 
sovereigns. He visited the cotton states in pursuit of his studies 
in ornithology, visited many plantations, conversed with the more 
intelligent slaves and induced numbers to escape. He would give 
them money, food, a pocket compass, and a knife or pistol, and send 
them on to the land of liberty. A reward of $12,000 was offered for 
his arrest. While aiding the escape of a slave he evaded capture only 
by shooting the horse of his pursuer. He was a tried and trusted 
friend of John Brown whom he entertained at his home in Toronto. 
Dr. Ross was in Richmond at the time of Brown’s attack on 
Harper’s Ferry. He was arrested and handcuffed, but escaped for 
lack of incriminating evidence. John Brown on the day before his 
death wrote to Dr. Ross exhorting him not to give up his labours for 
“the poor that ery and are in bonds.” 
During the Civil War Dr. Ross served in the Federal army and 
subsequently in the army of Mexico. He won the commendation of 
Mr. Gladstone for his zeal, forethought and tenacity, and for the 
signal courage and disinterestedness in humanity which formed the 
basis of his character.* 

1 Whittier made Dr. Ross the subject of the following memorial verses, 
which are printed in fac-simile in the Canadian Magazine, Vol. V., p. 16: 
For his steadfast strength and courage 
In a dark and evil time, 
When the Golden Rule was treason, 
And to feed the hungry crime. 
For the poor slave’s hope and refuge 
When the hounds were on his track, 
And saint and sinner, state and church, 
Joined hands to send him back. 
Blessings upon him! What he did 
For each sad, suffering one, 
Chained, hunted, scourged and bleeding, 
Unto our Lord was done ! 
