The Battle Against Slavery

The story of Rev. William Turner's 1776 abolitionist movement in the West Riding of Yorkshire and its effect on the rest of England—and the world.

The Battle Against Slavery charts the story of Rev. Turner, members of his congregation, and the Rev. Christopher Wyvilla in their bid to abolish slavery both in the United Kingdom and abroad. Such became the influence of the West Riding radicals, whose Unitarian beliefs were illegal in Britain, that the general election of 1806 in Yorkshire was fought on an abolitionist platform. At a time when the rest of the world engaged in slavery, this small body was fighting almost single-handedly to end such practices. Gradually, their beliefs began to spread across the country and across the Channel to France, the principles of which found resonance during the French Revolution and even across the Atlantic to America.

At a time, today, when the history of slavery is the subject of considerable debate worldwide, this revealing insight into the abolitionist movement, which demonstrates how ordinary men and women battled against governments and the establishment, needs to be told. The Battle Against Slavery adds an important dimension to the continuing debate over Britain's, and other nations', involvement in the slave trade and demonstrates how the determination of just a few right-minded people can change world opinion forever.