Atlantic Slave Trade - Famous abolitionists

Atlantic Slave Trade - Famous abolitionists

1. Famous Abolitionists

2. Frederick Douglass Douglass escaped slavery and a was prominent anti-slavery campaigner. He helped run abolitionist campaigns in the USA. He also travelled to countries - including the UK - to describe his terrible experiences, and urge the abolition of the trade. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

3. William Wilberforce Wilberforce was an MP who campaigned for 20 years against the slave trade. He regularly gave speeches and proposed anti-slavery laws in Parliament. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

4. Thomas Clarkson Clarkson was a Quaker. He helped found the campaign group ‘ The Society for Affecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade ’. He toured British slave ports collecting evidence of slave trade to show horrors. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

5. Olaudah Equiano Equiano was a former slave. He managed to buy his freedom and then set up an anti-slavery group. He also wrote books and spoke at public meetings. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

6. John Newton Newton was a former slave ship captain. He wrote a book about the evils of the slave trade and spoke at public meetings. He famously wrote the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

7. Hannah More More was a teacher who became a writer. During this time she met many people involved in the anti-slavery movement and became an active member too. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

8. Granville Sharp Sharp was involved in setting up an anti-slavery campaign after meeting a former slave. A number of legal challenges to the slave trade were organised by Sharp, helping some slaves get freedom. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807