Biography.guide
Home › People › Philanthropist › Lisette Denison Forth
Portrait of Lisette Denison Forth

Lisette Denison Forth

1786 – 1866

American slave turned philanthropist

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Lisette Denison Forth

Lived 1786 – 1866 (aged 79–80). Lisette Denison Forth was a philanthropist.

Elizabeth Denison Forth ( 1786 – August 7, 1866) was an African-American landowner and philanthropist from Michigan. Forth was born enslaved, and worked as a maid before becoming a landowner. She was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2017.

Early life Forth was born with slave status in 1786 near Detroit, the second of Peter and Hannah Denison's six children. However, she never lived in the city, leasing the lots to her brother Scipio and eventually selling them in 1836/37. The property now forms part of Oak Hill Cemetery, and a state of Michigan historical marker commemorates her ownership.

In 1831, Lisette was employed by the household of John Biddle, mayor of Detroit and founder of Wyandotte, Michigan. The Biddles asked her to come to Paris to tend to the ailing Eliza, Biddle's wife. James Biddle also built an altar cross, and a kneeling bench and reading stand for the minister.

Bishop Samuel Allen McCoskry consecrated the church in July 1868; in his later report to the diocese, he stated:

The church's red doors are dedicated to Forth, and a state of Michigan historical marker located on the site commemorates both the church and Forth.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Born
1786, Detroit
Birth century
Occupation
Awards
Michigan Women's Hall of Fame
Also known as
Elizabeth Denison Forth

People in Lisette Denison Forth's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Lisette Denison Forth's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Lisette Denison Forth?

American slave turned philanthropist

When was Lisette Denison Forth born?

Lisette Denison Forth was born in 1786 in Detroit.

When did Lisette Denison Forth die?

Lisette Denison Forth died on 7 August 1866 in Grosse Ile, Michigan.

What was Lisette Denison Forth's occupation?

Lisette Denison Forth was a philanthropist.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Lisette Denison Forth

· Wikidata: Q16065818

· DBpedia: Lisette Denison Forth

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Lisette Denison Forth. https://biography.guide/lisette-denison-forth/

MLA: "Lisette Denison Forth." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/lisette-denison-forth/.

Chicago: "Lisette Denison Forth." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/lisette-denison-forth/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:32 UTC