Thomas Wentworth Higginson was an influential mentor and friend to both Helen Hunt Jackson and Emily Dickinson. He was somewhat of a controversial figure as a backer of John Brown (a fellow abolitionist and promoter of insurrection in its support) and his aid of fugitive slaves. In addition, he was also the leader of Newport, Rhode Island literary society. Having met Higginson previously she renewed their acquaintance while staying at the same boarding house in Newport.
He provided Helen with both encouragement and friendship. They even had a mutual friend in Emily Dickinson. Though Helen drove a hard bargain when negotiating payment for her writing, she was not a supporter of feminism. This is somewhat ironic given the fact that she believed women should receive the same pay as men, not to mention her non-conventional second marriage.
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