| I Made a Difference |
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People InvolvedSix icons of the abolition movement will be featured in a special stamp issue by the Royal Mail in March 2007 see drafts of them in Gallery. Below are a number of people who were involved in the abolition movement in Britain: Ottobah Cugoano b 1757 in what is now modern day Ghana. He was brought to England by his owner at the end of 1772 and set free. Advised to get himself baptised in order not to be sold into slavery again, he took the name John Steuart. Later, he entered the service of Richard Cosway, principal painter to the Prince of Wales, and before long emerged as one of the leaders and spokesmen of London's black community. Ignatius Sancho (c. 1729-14 December 1780). He is the first known Afro-Briton to vote in a British election. He become an icon for the abolitionist movement during the 18th century. The Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, An African, edited and published two years after his death, is one of the earliest accounts of African slavery in English that was written by a former slave. Ukawsaw Gronniosaw (born c. 1710/1714, died after 1772) wrote the first narrative in English about the horror of slavery. His A Narrative of the Most remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African Prince it was published in 1772. Phyllis Wheatley from modern day Senegal c.1753 at the age of eight and sold to a wealthy family in Boston. She had an aptitude for learning languages and was a skilful writer. In London she published a collection of poems. Mary Prince had help to write about her painful experiences to spread the anti-slavery message that appealed to women in Britain who were involved in setting up anti-slavery groups from Birmingham to Bristol and elsewhere. Olaudah Equiano. in 1792 he published his autobiography The interesting narratives of Gustavus Vassa or Olaudah Equiano, with every control over its contents. Equiano used this book as a campaigning tool as he travelled all over Britain for five years promoting the book and his anti-slavery message. He petitioned Parliament sending a letter to the Queen because he knew King George III was against abolition. Thomas Day famous for his poem, The Dying Negro, full text one of the first works of propaganda against slavery. Written in the first person, the poem contrasts the feelings of the dying man with a devastating attack on slavery. Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802), perhaps the most widely talented Lunar figure was a friend of Thomas Day and Josiah Wedgwood. In 1789 Darwin corresponded with Wedgwood on the matter: “I have just heard that there are muzzles or gags made in Birmingham for the slaves in our islands. If this be true, and such an instrument could be exhibited by a speaker in the house of commons, it might have a great effect.” But Darwin produced explosive attacks on slavery, in his poem, The Botanic Garden (1789-1791). Josiah Wedgwood was concerned with social reform. In 1787 he helped Thomas Clarkson and Granville Sharp, to form the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Wedgwood joined the committee and also produced the Abolition Society's seal which showed a black slave in chains, kneeling, his hands lifted up to heaven. The motto read: "Am I Not a Man and a Brother?" Thomas Clarkson born in Wisbech in 1760. He gather much evidence to produce a case for the abolition of the slave trade, interviews and equipment used. He also wrote a book History of the Abolition of the African Slave Trade. and formed two groups were focused on ending the slave trade and slavery. Granville Sharp born in Durham in 1735. Jonathan Strong, Thomas Lewis and James Somersett, help Sharp to convince the courts that "as soon as any slave sets foot upon English territory, he becomes free." John Wesley born in 1703 in Epworth, Lincolnshire. He was the founder of the Methodist Church and celebrated preacher, was well known as an opponent of slavery. He wrote Thoughts Upon Slavery to confront the widespread acceptance of slavery. William Wilberforce was born in Hull in 1759. As a Christian and a MP he became interested in social reform which included ending the slavery trade. He was the MP responsible for the bill that abolished the slave trade, this was the 3rd bill on the matter.
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 16 January 2007 ) | |||||
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