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The Battle Against Slavery (Hardback)

The Untold Story of How a Group of Yorkshire Radicals Began the War to End the Slave Trade

Military > Frontline Books P&S History > British History P&S History > By Century > 18th Century World History > UK & Ireland > England > Yorkshire & Humberside

By Paul L. Dawson
Frontline Books
Pages: 280
Illustrations: 16 black and white illustrations
ISBN: 9781399018487
Published: 9th February 2022

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On 13 December 1776, the Rev. William Turner preached the first avowedly anti-slavery sermon in the North of England. Copies of his sermon were distributed far and wide – in so doing, he had fired the first shot in the battle to end slavery had begun.

Four years later, Rev. Turner, members of his congregation and the Rev. Christopher Wyvill founded ‘The Yorkshire Association’ to agitate for political and social reform. The Association sought universal suffrage, annual parliaments and the abolition of slavery. In the West Riding, despite furious opposition, by 1783 nearly 10,000 signatures were collected in support of the aims of the Association. Slavery, or rather its abolition, was now on the political agenda.

The Battle Against Slavery charts the story of a group of West Riding radicals in their bid to abolish slavery both in the United Kingdom and abroad. Such became the influence of this group, whose Unitarian beliefs were illegal in Britain, that the general election of 1806 in Yorkshire was fought on an abolitionist platform. At a time when the rest of the world engaged in slavery, this small body was fighting almost single-handedly to end such practices. Gradually, their beliefs began to spread across the country and across the Channel to France, the principles of which found resonance during the French Revolution and even across the Atlantic to America.

At a time, today, when the history of slavery is the subject of considerable debate worldwide, this revealing insight into the abolitionist movement, which demonstrates how ordinary men and women battled against governments and the establishment, needs to be told. The Battle Against Slavery adds an important dimension to the continuing debate over Britain’s, and other nations’, involvement in the slave trade and demonstrates how the determination of just a few right-minded people can change world opinion forever.

As Featured In

The Yorkshire Reporter, May 2022

This book was a really interesting read indeed, I have to admit I had never heard of this group all mainly from the Yorkshire area. Fighting for a good cause that was such a big issue, these guys were from a relatively unknown background. This book was really good and I’m hoping to read bit further from some of the information in the bibliography section at the back of the book. The book seemed quite detailed and I would have thought the book was very well researched by the author Paul L. Dawson. I would certainly recommend this book to others.

Read the full review here

The History Fella

As featured in

The Bookseller

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

An interesting read, I would recommend to anyone interested in this subject. I learned a lot that I did not know before about the slave trade and the abolition of it.

NetGalley, Heather Temple

A great book about a group of not well known abolitionists. I have recently also read a graphic novel about Benjamin Lay a little known abolitionist Quaker. It has been amazing to read about the lives of these little known people who fought for such a just cause. I think many will enjoy reading about these men's lives.

NetGalley, Haley Crenshaw

A meticulously detailed and carefully researched accounting of slavery in Yorkshire and its ripples throughout Europe and the Americas.

NetGalley, Katherine Wehrle

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

An embracing book about what started as a small group of people trying to abolish slavery from the UK to around the world.

NetGalley, Sandra Rogaskie

About Paul L. Dawson

Paul L. Dawson BSc Hons MA MIFA FINS, is a historian and author, specialising in the French Army of the Napoleonic War. In addition, as a noted equestrian, this allows him to have a greater understanding of what was and what was not possible for cavalry and other troops which utilised horses. Working as a historical tailor producing museum-quality replica clothing gives him a unique insight into construction techniques of the period, as well the knowledge and ability to decipher documents from the period.

Slavery Abolition Act 1833 comes into effect, abolishes slavery throughout the British Empire

1st August 1834

The Battle Against Slavery adds an important dimension to the continuing debate over Britain’s, and other nations’, involvement in the slave trade and demonstrates how the determination of just a few right-minded people can change world opinion forever.


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