1st Edition

The Business of Abolishing the British Slave Trade, 1783-1807

By Judith Jennings Copyright 1997
    176 Pages
    by Routledge

    176 Pages
    by Routledge

    This study presents new information about the four Quaker businessmen who helped found the London Abolition Committee in 1787 and remained active in the late anti-slave trade movement throughout their lifetimes. Drawing on previously unused primary sources, the study traces the close personal, business, social and religious ties binding the men together and shaping their abolition activities and arguments. By closely examining the lives of Joseph Woods, James Philips, George Harrison and Samuel Hoare, the study presents a new view of the factors shaping the arguments and strategies of abolitionism in Britain.

    This fine example of dogged historical research fully supports the notion that history is made not by great people", but rather by little people working very hard." - Choice



    Journal of Southern History - USA

    "Judith Jenning"s work is a relatively short but thorough analysis of the motives and actions of British reformers who pushed for the abolition of the slave trade.......This is a solid monograph, of value to anyone interested in antislavery movements".



    Business History -

    "The Business of Abolishing the British Slave Trade is a carefully researched, well presented and informative book which will be of interest not only to abolition historiographers but also to Quaker historians, scholars of eighteenth-century political and social history, and sociologists."



    Slavery and Abolition - reviewed by Christopher Brown - Omohundro Institute USA

    "Few know the Quaker sources for this period better than Judith Jennings ... Her book is a welcome complement to existing studies on anti-slavery and parliamentary politics."



    International History Review, Vol 20, No 2, June 98

    "Jennings draws on largely unexploited primary sources thoroughout ... Moreover, she is obviously comfortable with the secondary literature she chooses to include."



    Contemporary Review, 1/2/98

    "This book is a most valuable addition to historical knowledge."



    American Historical Review- " The strength of Jenning"s study lies in her obvious command of the historiography of abolitionism and her detailed knowledge of the operations of the London Abolition Committee.

    Biography

    Judith Jennings