Lippard, George (1822-1854)

US 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 (1844), an exposé of Philadelphia in the fantasy genre (it is also known as The Quaker City). 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. Lippard was born in West Nantmeal Township, Pennsylvania. His family moved to Philadelphia in 1824. He studied for the ministry at the Classical Academy in Rhinebeck, New York. Rejecting the ministry, he became a journalist, then a freelance writer.