James Webbe Tobin facts for kids
James Webbe Tobin (born 1767, died 1814) was an English person who worked to end slavery. He was the son of a plantation owner from an island called Nevis. James was also interested in new ideas about politics and was friends with many important writers of his time.
A Life of Learning and Friendship
James Webbe Tobin was the oldest son of James Tobin and Elizabeth Webbe. His brothers were George and John. His father was in business with a man named John Pretor Pinney.
James went to school at King Edward VI School, Southampton and then studied at Wadham College, Oxford. He finished his studies in 1792. From 1795 until his brother John passed away in 1804, they lived together in London.
In the 1790s, James became good friends with famous poets like Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. He might have met Wordsworth through other friends or the Pinney family. James even introduced Tom Wedgwood, who later supported Coleridge's work, to the poets in 1797. In 1798, Wordsworth told James about his big poetry project, The Recluse.
James had a problem with his eyes that made it hard for him to see clearly. This meant he couldn't have a regular career. Around 1799, he took part in some interesting science experiments with Humphry Davy, who was studying nitrous oxide. James observed when Davy tried other breathing experiments too.
Fighting for Fairness
From 1807, James and his family lived on Nevis. He became a key person in a legal case in 1810 against a plantation owner named Edward Huggins. Huggins was accused of being cruel to enslaved people. Even though Huggins was found not guilty, James spoke out strongly against the decision. He even wrote to Hugh Elliot, who was the Governor of the Leeward Islands, saying that the jury was unfair. People noted that because James couldn't see well, he couldn't be challenged to a duel for his strong opinions.
His Writings
James Tobin wrote for a collection of writings called The Annual Anthology, which was put together by Robert Southey. He also helped edit the third book of this collection in 1802. In 1812, he wrote a Reply to a pamphlet that had been written by Thomas John Cottle, who was Edward Huggins's son-in-law.
His Family
In 1807, James married Jane Mallet or Mullett (1784–1837). Her father, Thomas Mullett, was a stationer (someone who sells paper and writing materials) in Bristol. James and Jane had at least four children. Their oldest son, John James, was born around 1808 or 1809 and later became a friend of Humphry Davy.
After James passed away, Jane Tobin and their children moved back to England.
