Biographies of the slave trade and literature of abolition

Who was John Newton

an English Anglican clergyman and former slave ship captain who became a prominent Christian minister and abolitionist.

Jobs Newton had

he was a captain of a slave ship, participating in the transatlantic slave trade.

What brings Newton into this conversation about slavery/abolition:

- This person worked as a captain in the transatlantic slave trade, witnessing the inhumane conditions and suffering of enslaved individuals firsthand. This experience created a profound internal conflict within him.
- This person’s conversion to Christianity began during a harrowing storm at sea in 1748. This event led him to reassess his life choices, including his involvement in the slave trade. His newfound faith prompted a moral reckoning.

Positions Newton took:

- This person was a vocal advocate for the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. He believed it was morally reprehensible and incompatible with Christian teachings.
- He emphasized the moral responsibility of Christians to act against injustice. Newton often preached about the need for compassion and love towards all people, including those enslaved.
- Newton actively supported the abolitionist movement in England, aligning himself with key figures like William Wilberforce. He provided encouragement and advice to those working to end slavery.

Who is Thomas Clarkson?:

A prominent English abolitionist and a key figure in the movement to abolish the transatlantic slave trade. His work played a crucial role in raising awareness about the horrors of slavery and mobilizing public opinion against it.

Jobs they have

This person studied to become a clergyman at St. John's College, Cambridge, but he never pursued a full-time career in the church. His early work included writing an essay on the slave trade, which led to extensive research and documentation about the inhumane practices associated with slavery.

What brings Clarkson into this conversation about slavery/abolition:

- Clarkson was deeply troubled by the moral implications of slavery. His strong sense of justice and compassion led him to believe that the trade was fundamentally wrong and needed to be addressed.
- His journey began in 1785 when he entered an essay contest at Cambridge University on the topic of slavery. This research exposed him to the horrific realities of the transatlantic slave trade and ignited his passion for abolition.
- After starting his research, Clarkson met individuals who had been enslaved and heard their harrowing stories. These firsthand accounts further fueled his determination to advocate for change.

Positions Clarkson took:

- Clarkson championed the need for public awareness regarding the realities of slavery. He argued that educating the public about the brutality of the slave trade was essential for garnering support for abolition.
He supported the voices of formerly enslaved individuals, believing that their testimonies were crucial in highlighting the horrors of slavery and swaying public opinion.
- Clarkson was active in lobbying Parliament and working with lawmakers, including William Wilberforce, to push for legislation that would abolish the slave trade.

Who is William Cowper:

an English poet and hymn writer known for his profound influence on both literature and religious thought.

Jobs Cowper had:

- After studying at Westminster School and then at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, Cowper trained as a lawyer and became a clerk in the legal profession. He worked in the office of a solicitor in London for several years.
- Cowper's most significant role was as a poet. He gained fame for his literary works, including his long poem The Task and various shorter poems that addressed themes of nature, faith, and human experience.

What brings them into this conversation about slavery/abolition:

This person was a strong advocate against the slave trade and used his poetry to express his opposition to slavery. His friendship with John Newton helped shape his views on social justice.

Positions Cowper took

- This person was a devout Christian whose faith deeply influenced his poetry and writings. He believed in the importance of personal faith and the power of divine grace.
- Cowper was a strong advocate against the transatlantic slave trade. His writings often expressed moral outrage at the injustices of slavery, aligning with the abolitionist movement.

Who was Olaudah Equiano:

a prominent African writer, abolitionist, and former enslaved person whose autobiography played a crucial role in the abolitionist movement in Britain.

Jobs Equaino had

- He was captured and sold into slavery, working in various capacities, including as a domestic servant and ship's servant.
- After purchasing his freedom, this person became a merchant. He was involved in trade and made several voyages, which helped him establish connections and gain financial independence.
- He worked as a groom for a naval officer and gained experience in maritime trades, which provided him with valuable skills and knowledge of the sea.

What brings them into this conversation about slavery/abolition:

- This person's own experiences as an enslaved person provided him with a unique and powerful perspective on the brutality of the slave trade.
- His firsthand accounts of capture, enslavement, and the Middle Passage were instrumental in illustrating the horrors of slavery.
- After gaining his freedom, this person became an active abolitionist. He worked alongside prominent figures like Granville Sharp and Thomas Clarkson, participating in campaigns to end the slave trade in Britain.
- His involvement in the abolitionist movement highlighted the urgent need for reform.

Positions Equiano took:

- This person was a passionate advocate for the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. He believed that slavery was morally wrong and that it should be eradicated.
- He emphasized the fundamental rights and dignity of all individuals, arguing that enslaved people deserved freedom and respect as human beings.
- He advocated for the importance of education and public awareness regarding the realities of slavery.
- He believed that informing people about the horrors of the slave trade was essential for garnering support for abolition.

Who was William Cobbet

an influential English journalist, political reformer, and writer known for his outspoken views on social justice, agricultural issues, and government reform.

Jobs Cobbett had:

- After his early education, this person served as an apprentice to a local tradesman in his youth, which helped him develop practical skills.
- He worked as a laborer on farms, which provided him with firsthand experience of the agricultural issues that would later inform his writing and advocacy.
- He joined the British Army and served as a soldier during the American Revolutionary War. His military experience influenced his views on government and power.

What brings Cobbett into this conversation about slavery/abolition

- Although his primary focus was on domestic social issues, this person expressed support for the abolitionist cause. He recognized the connection between the exploitation of enslaved people and broader systemic injustices affecting the working class in Britain.
- He was critical of the British government and its policies, including those that supported or ignored the institution of slavery. this person used his platform to expose hypocrisy and call for moral responsibility regarding slavery.

Positions Cobbett took

- This person championed the rights of the working class, emphasizing their need for fair treatment, better working conditions, and political representation.
- This person championed the rights of the working class, emphasizing their need for fair treatment, better working conditions, and political representation.
- This person was a fierce critic of the British government and its policies, which he believed often favored the wealthy and powerful at the expense of the poor and disenfranchised.