His home training and his residence in States which were then in the process of gradual emancipation served to confirm him in the traditional conviction of his family.

While Benjamin Lundy, at the age of twenty-seven, was engaged in organizing anti-slavery societies north of the Ohio River, Birney at the age of twenty-four was influential as a member of the Kentucky Legislature in the prevention of the passing of a joint resolution calling upon Ohio and Indiana to make laws providing for the return of fugitive slaves.

He was also conspicuous in his efforts to secure provisions for gradual emancipation.

Two years later he became a planter near Huntsville, Alabama.

Though not a member of the Constitutional Convention preparatory to the admission of this Territory into the Union, Birney used his influence to secure provisions in the constitution favorable to gradual emancipation.