Thomas Clarkson

Thomas Clarkson married Catherine Buck in 1796 and they were blessed with a son, Thomas (Jr.), the same year.

He passed away on September 26, 1846 in Playford, Suffolk and he was buried in St. Mary’s Church.

Thomas Clarkson was born on March 28, 1760 in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire to Rev. John Clarkson and Anne. John Clarkson was an Anglican priest and the headmaster at the Wisbech Grammar School.

Thomas received his primary schooling from Wisbech Grammar School, from where he went to St. Paul’s School, London in 1775. He graduated from St. John’s College, Cambridge in 1783 with a B.A. degree.

After graduating Thomas Clarkson stayed at Cambridge to follow in his father’s footsteps and enter the Anglican Church. He was ordained as a deacon in 1783 but he never proceeded to priest’s orders.

In 1785, Cambridge University’s Vice-Chancellor Peter Peckard organized a Latin essay competition on the topic ‘Anne liceat invitos in servitutem dare’ (Is it lawful to enslave the unconsenting?).

Not quite versed about the topic, Thomas Clarkson began researching and got his hands on Anthony Benezet’s book on the same topic. With more research he came to understand the horrifying realities of slave trade and slavery.

Still not content with his research, he began interviewing people who had any experience of slavery. After including these experiences in his essay, he presented it to the university and won the prize.

While travelling back to London on horse-back he stopped at Wadesmill and experienced a spiritual revelation from God. He believed that someone should put an end to this evil and from this point onwards he dedicated his life to this cause.

Thomas Clarkson’s biggest achievement was the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833, which was mostly possible because of his extensive campaigning. He also co-founded the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade (also known as the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade).