James Madison Bell (April 3, 1826 – March 4, 1902) was an African-American poet, orator, and political activist who was involved in the abolitionist movement against slavery.

[3][4] According to Joan R. Sherman: "As poet and public speaker, Bell was one of the nineteenth century's most dedicated propagandists for African-American freedom and civil rights.

[1][5] Bell attended a school for black children that was run by Elisha Barnes in the Bethel Church (later the African Methodist Episcopal Chapel).

"Black laws" passed by the Ohio General Assembly in 1804 and 1807 required African Americans to provide proof that they were free and a $500 (equivalent to $10,173 in 2023) bond to show that they could support themselves.

[8][9] The Dred Scott v. Sandford case made it to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1854, which found that American citizenship was not guaranteed for free blacks.

[3][9] He was the secretary of the Chatham Vigilance Committee,[19] a group that included Oberlin College graduates, who rescued Sylvanus Demerest who was kidnapped with the intention of selling him into slavery.

[19] Other leaders included Philip Alexander Bell, the editor of Pacific Appeal; Darius Stokes; T. M. D. Ward; J.

[3] And thus he played the hero's part, Till on the ramparts of the foe A score of bullets pierced his heart, He sank within the trench below.

He read "The Day and the War" at Platt's Hall, dedicating the poem to John Brown, whom he called "The Hero, Saint and Martyr of Harpers Ferry.

[14] He expressed his impressions about the "history of slavery, the Civil War, emancipation, and the Reconstruction era" in long verse-orations, often between 750 and 950 lines.

[3] Although about a dozen of his poems were short, like the satire, "Modern Moses, or 'My Policy'" Man about President Andrew Johnson.

[3] Some of his most appreciated poems were "Lincoln", "Emancipation", "The Dawn of Freedom", and "The Future of America in the Unity of Races, Valedictory of Leaving San Francisco, Song for the First of August".

[5] Through his verses, he advised freedmen on their rights and duties as a citizen, human liberty, and to be responsible as free people.

[8] According to William Wells Brown, he delivered "soul-stirring appeal" befitting the subjects of his prose and bringing the words on the printed page to life.

[8] Arnett said of his audience members: "Many a young man who was not an honor to his race and a blessing to his people received the first spark of inspiration for true greatness.

[4] President Chester A. Arthur received leaders of the AME Church, which included James Madison Bell, at the White House in 1884.