Alexander Falconbridge facts for kids
Alexander Falconbridge was a British surgeon born around 1760. He worked on slave ships for several years. However, he later became an abolitionist, which means he worked to end the slave trade. In 1788, he wrote an important book called An Account of the Slave Trade on the Coast of Africa. In 1791, he traveled to Granville Town, Sierra Leone, a place where formerly enslaved people lived. He died there in 1792.
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His Early Life
Alexander Falconbridge was born in England or Scotland around 1760. We don't know the exact place, but it might have been Prestonpans or Bristol.
Working Against Slavery
Alexander Falconbridge worked as a surgeon on four slave ships between 1782 and 1787. He sailed on ships named Tartar, Emilia, and Alexander. After these voyages, he decided that the slave trade was wrong. He then became an abolitionist, someone who fought to end slavery.
He met Thomas Clarkson, another important anti-slavery campaigner. Falconbridge joined the Anti-Slavery Society. Thomas Clarkson thought highly of Falconbridge. Sometimes, Falconbridge even helped protect Clarkson when he was collecting information against the slave trade.
In 1788, after meeting Clarkson, Falconbridge published his book, An Account of the Slave Trade on the Coast of Africa. This book was very important for the abolitionist movement. In it, he described how people were captured in Africa. He also wrote about their terrible journey across the ocean, known as the Middle Passage. Finally, he explained how they were sold into slavery in the West Indies.
In 1790, Alexander Falconbridge spoke to a committee in the British Parliament. Many people on the committee did not agree with his views.
His Final Journey
In 1791, the Anti-Slavery Society asked Falconbridge to go to Sierra Leone. He traveled there with his wife, Anna Maria Falconbridge, and his brother, William. Their goal was to help organize a settlement for freed enslaved people in Granville Town, Sierra Leone. They sailed on a ship called the Duke of Buccleugh.
During the journey, Alexander Falconbridge faced some challenges. He had disagreements with the ship's captain. He also had difficulties with his wife, Anna Maria. It seems he became very unhappy with the Sierra Leone Company, which was in charge of the settlement.
Alexander Falconbridge passed away in December 1792. Henry Thornton, who led the Sierra Leone Company, took over his role just before he died. After his death, the company did not pay his wife, Anna Maria, the money they owed him. The company's records about this money also went missing.
His Lasting Impact
The settlement in Sierra Leone eventually became known as Freetown. It is believed that Falconbridge Point in Freetown is named after Alexander Falconbridge. Both Alexander and his brother William, who died in Freetown the year before, are likely buried in the Freetown area. However, their exact burial places are not known.
See also
Images for kids
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Sierra Leone engraved by John Matthews in 1788
