"The Public Universal Friend," Linocut, circa 2020

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Artifact Overview

Public Universal Friend (1752-1819) defied societal expectations as a genderless Quaker minister. Although assigned female at birth, the Friend assumed their new identity following a 1776 religious epiphany and began preaching across the northeast United States. In 2019, 200 years after the Friend’s death, their life story was spread across social media, and they became emblematic of early American LBGTQIA+ history.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Print (Visual work)

Date Made

circa 2020

Creators

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2025.8.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Kristen Gallerneaux.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Linoleum block printing

Color

Dark Bluish Green (Color)
White (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 6.25 in
Width: 4.25 in

"The Public Universal Friend," Linocut, circa 2020