Leeds Anti-Slavery Association facts for kids
Juvenile Anti-Slavery Series published by Leeds Anti-Slavery Association
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| Founder(s) | Wilson Armistead |
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| Founded | 1853 |
The Leeds Anti-Slavery Association was a group formed in Leeds, England, in 1853. Its main goal was to end slavery. This group was special because it was one of the first of its kind to let women join as members and even take on important roles on its committee.
The association was very active in Leeds and the wider area of Yorkshire. It also sent anti-slavery pamphlets and writings to people living on the east coast of North America, helping to spread the message of freedom.
Contents
Fighting for Freedom
The Leeds Anti-Slavery Association was started in 1853 by Wilson Armistead. He was a Quaker, a member of a Christian group, and a strong believer in ending slavery. Armistead had even traveled to America to see the terrible conditions enslaved people faced. He also met with other people who wanted to abolish slavery there.
Armistead was already well-known for his anti-slavery work. In 1848, he published a book called A Tribute for the Negro. This book shared stories and facts about Black people, aiming to show their humanity and argue against slavery.
Women's Important Role
What made this association truly unique was its approach to women. It was the first group of its kind to allow women to be very active in its campaigns. Both women and men served as officers and committee members. In fact, most of the association's members were women. For example, Mary Bragg, who was Wilson Armistead's wife, worked as the group's librarian.
Spreading the Message
The association held many meetings and invited famous anti-slavery speakers. These speakers included Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote the famous book Uncle Tom's Cabin, and Samuel Ringgold Ward, an important Black abolitionist.
The association also had its own journal. This journal published stories about what it was like to be enslaved and shared writings that supported the end of slavery. One important series they published was the Leeds Anti-Slavery Series. This series had 82 different anti-slavery pamphlets.
According to historian Kimberly Blockett, these pamphlets were not just for people in England. They were meant to "overwhelm the eastern shores of the United States" with anti-slavery ideas from England. The association also published the Leeds Anti-Slavery Juvenile Series, which was specifically made for children. Armistead even used his own business in Holbeck to send out these important pamphlets.
Competitions and Speakers
In 1854, the association held an essay competition. They offered large cash prizes for the best essays. People had to write about "the sinfulness of slavery, the way to end it, and the good things that would happen if it ended."
The association continued to host talks and meetings with well-known abolitionists. Harriet Beecher Stowe herself came to speak and stayed at the home of Edward Baines, a local newspaper owner. On December 10, 1855, a meeting was held at Belgrave Chapel. Speakers there included Parker Pillsbury, an American abolitionist.
Leeds had a history of hosting anti-slavery speakers. For example, Frederick Douglass, a famous escaped slave and abolitionist, gave a lecture in Leeds on December 23, 1846. His talk was called "England Should Lead the Cause of Emancipation."
In 1857, the association helped create the Leeds Young Men's Anti-Slavery Society. Wilson Armistead became the Honourable Secretary of this new group, continuing his work to end slavery.
