Scotland and the Abolition of Black Slavery, 1756-1838

Abstract

Although much has been written about Scottish involvement in slavery, contribution of Scots to abolition of black slavery has not yet been sufficiently recognised. This book starts with a Virginian slave seeking his freedomin Scotland in 1756 and ends with abolition of apprenticeship scheme in West Indian colonies in 1838. Contemporary documents and periodicals reveal a groundswell of revulsion to what was described as the horrible traffik in humans. Petitions to Parliament came from remote islands in Shetland as well as from large public meetings in cities. In a land steeped in religion, ministers and church leaders took lead in giving theological support to cause of abolition. The contributions of five London Scots who were pivotal to campaign throughout Britain are set against opposition to abolition from many Scots with commercial interests in slave trade and sugar plantations. Missionaries and miners, trades guilds and lawyers all played their parts in challenging slavery. Many of their struggles and frustrations are detailed for first time in an assessment of unique contribution made by Scotland and Scots to destruction of an institution whose effects are still with us today.

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