Thomas Babington facts for kids
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Thomas Babington (born December 18, 1758 – died November 21, 1837) was an English man who loved helping people (a philanthropist) and was involved in government (a politician). He was part of a special group called the Clapham Sect. This group included famous people like William Wilberforce and Hannah More. They all worked hard to end slavery.
Early Life and Learning
Thomas Babington was the oldest son of Thomas Babington of Rothley Temple in Leicestershire, England. He inherited Rothley and other family lands in 1776.
He went to Rugby School and then to St John's College, Cambridge. At Cambridge, he met William Wilberforce. Wilberforce and others were also working to stop slavery.
Fighting Slavery and Helping Others
Thomas Babington was a Christian who believed in helping others. He used his own money to support many good causes. His home, Rothley Temple, was a meeting place for Wilberforce and his friends. They used it to plan how to end slavery. The law to abolish slavery was even written there! A stone memorial still stands at Rothley today to remember this important work.
Babington also had a home in London at 17 Downing Street. He shared this house with his brother-in-law, General Colin Macaulay. Colin Macaulay also worked hard to end slavery.
Besides his anti-slavery work, Babington helped people in other ways. In 1784–1785, he offered to pay half the cost for people in Rothley to get smallpox shots. He also started a local "Friendly Society." This group bought corn at a low price and sold it cheaply to poor people. This helped his workers get better food and live better lives. He even set up special funds that still exist today to provide housing in local villages.
Babington was also active in politics. He supported ideas to let more people vote. He was a top official in Leicestershire in 1780. He was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Leicester from 1800 to 1818.
His Family
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On October 8, 1787, Thomas Babington married Jean Macaulay. Jean's family, like Thomas's, was very involved in the movement to end slavery. Her brothers, Zachary Macaulay and General Colin Macaulay, were also abolitionists. Jean's nephew was the famous writer Thomas Babington Macaulay.
Thomas and Jean had ten children together: six sons and four daughters.
Thomas Babington passed away at Rothley Temple in 1837 when he was 78 years old. He is buried in the chapel there. His wife, Jean, died in 1845.
