Profanity, Piety, and Reform: The Anti-Profanity League's Crusade!

Explore the compelling story of the Anti-Profanity League (APL), a unique social reform movement born in South Shore Massachusetts at the turn of the 20th century. Founded in 1901 by Reverend Roland D. Sawyer of Hanson, Massachusetts, the APL began its public crusade in Brockton and expanded rapidly. Reverend Sawyer's roots in the region included being licensed to preach at Quincy in 1899 before his ordination in Brockton.

Driven by a deep sense of piety and connected to the broader social reform spirit of the Progressive Era, the League aimed to eliminate profane language. The APL utilized practical and educational methods, such as distributing cards and literature, holding public meetings, encouraging members to challenge swearing, and advocating for local ordinances.

Their efforts quickly grew, transforming a local initiative into a national and international organization with thousands of members across numerous states and countries. The League even received endorsements from prominent figures like President Theodore Roosevelt and Governor Bates. Join us to discover the origins, activities, and broader significance of this South Shore-based effort to shape public morals in America.

Evan Christensen is a second-year student at the University of New Hampshire, majoring in genetics with minors in history and anthropology. His current research on Anti-Profanity Leagues began after receiving the Roland D. Sawyer Scholarship from the UNH Library. This project explores the surprising intersection of language, morality, and activism in early 20th-century New England, with a particular focus on Reverend Roland D. Sawyer of Hanson, Massachusetts. Evan has presented at several libraries and historical societies across the region, and audiences often note how he brings a young person’s perspective and energy to overlooked chapters of the past.

This program is made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.

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