This image provided by Telfair Museum in Savannah, Ga., shows an 18th century James Oglethorpe portrait by Thomas Burford. Michael Thurmond, a Black author, says Georgia's white founding father deserves credit for inspiring the abolitionist movement that ultimately ended slavery. The book, entitled “James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia”, focuses on Oglethorpe's failed attempt to ban slavery after starting Britain's 13th American colony in 1733. (Telfair Museum via AP)
Author Michael Thurmond speaks during an interview with Associated Press about his new book, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Stone Mountain, Ga. A new book by Michael Thurmond entitled “James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia” focuses on Georgia's white founding father’s failed attempt to ban slavery after starting Britain's 13th American colony in 1733. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Author Michael Thurmond poses for a portrait on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, in Stone Mountain, Ga. A new book by Michael Thurmond entitled “James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia” focuses on Georgia's white founding father’s failed attempt to ban slavery after starting Britain's 13th American colony in 1733. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Author Michael Thurmond walks away after speaking during an interview with Associated Press about his new book, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Stone Mountain, Ga. A new book by Michael Thurmond entitled “James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia” focuses on Georgia's white founding father’s failed attempt to ban slavery after starting Britain's 13th American colony in 1733. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Author Michael Thurmond speaks during an interview with Associated Press about his new book, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Stone Mountain, Ga. A new book by Michael Thurmond entitled “James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia” focuses on Georgia's white founding father’s failed attempt to ban slavery after starting Britain's 13th American colony in 1733. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Author Michael Thurmond speaks poses for a portrait, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Stone Mountain, Ga. A new book by Michael Thurmond entitled “James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia” focuses on Georgia's white founding father’s failed attempt to ban slavery after starting Britain's 13th American colony in 1733. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Author Michael Thurmond speaks during an interview with Associated Press about his new book, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Stone Mountain, Ga. A new book by Michael Thurmond entitled “James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia” focuses on Georgia's white founding father’s failed attempt to ban slavery after starting Britain's 13th American colony in 1733. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Author Michael Thurmond speaks during an interview with Associated Press about his new book, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Stone Mountain, Ga. A new book by Thurmond entitled “James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia” focuses on Georgia's white founding father’s failed attempt to ban slavery after starting Britain's 13th American colony in 1733. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
A person takes a photo of a statue of James Edward Oglethorpe stands in Chippewa Square in Savannah, Ga. on Feb. 9, 2024. Oglethorpe founded Georgia as the last of Britain's 13 American colonies in February 1733. Slavery was banned in the early years of Oglethorpe's Georgia, though the prohibition ultimately failed. A new book by Michael Thurmond, a Black veteran of Georgia politics and a history aficionado, argues that Oglethorpe deserves credit as a forefather of early abolitionists. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum)
Author Michael Thurmond speaks during an interview with Associated Press about his new book, poses for a portrait on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Stone Mountain, Ga. A new book by Michael Thurmond entitled “James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia” focuses on Georgia's white founding father’s failed attempt to ban slavery after starting Britain's 13th American colony in 1733. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
A statue of James Edward Oglethorpe stands in Chippewa Square in Savannah, Ga. on Feb. 9, 2024. Oglethorpe founded Georgia as the last of Britain's 13 American colonies in February 1733. Slavery was banned in the early years of Oglethorpe's Georgia, though the prohibition ultimately failed. A new book by Michael Thurmond, a Black veteran of Georgia politics and a history aficionado, argues that Oglethorpe deserves credit as a forefather of early abolitionists. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum)