Lippard, George

Lippard, George (1822–54) writer; born in West Nantmeal Township, Pa. His family moved to Philadelphia (1824), and he studied for the ministry at the Classical Academy, Rhinebeck, N.Y. Rejecting the ministry, he became a journalist, then a free-lance writer. He wrote many historical romances, but is best known for his books indicting the corruption of big cities, such as The Monks of Monk Hall (also known as The Quaker City) (1844), an exposé of Philadelphia in the fantasy genre. He was the founder of the Brotherhood of the Union (later known as the Brotherhood of America) in 1850, a religious and philosophical organization that attempted to eliminate social exploitation.