Thomas Clarkson (28 March 1760 – 26 September 1846) was an English abolitionist, and a leading campaigner against the slave trade in the British Empire. He helped found the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade (also known as the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade) and helped achieve passage of the Slave Trade Act 1807, which ended British trade in slaves.
He became a pacifist in 1816 and, with his brother, John, was one of the twelve founders of the Society for the Promotion of Permanent and Universal Peace. In his later years Clarkson campaigned for the abolition of slavery worldwide. In 1840 he was the key speaker at the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society's first convention in London, which campaigned to end slavery in other countries.
Early life and education
Clarkson was the elder son of the Reverend John Clarkson (1710–1766), a Church of England priest and headmaster of Wisbech Grammar School, and his wife, Anne, née Ward (died 1799). He was baptised on 26 May 1760 at St Peter and St Paul's Church, Wisbech.
His siblings were John (born 1764) and Anne. Both boys attended Wisbech Grammar School, Hill Street, where the family lived. After the death of his father the family moved into a house on Bridge Street, which is now marked by a blue plaque. In 1775, Thomas went on to St Paul's School in London, where he obtained an exhibition.
He entered St John's College, Cambridge, in 1779. An excellent student, he appears to have enjoyed his time at the University of Cambridge, although he was a serious, devout man. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1783 and was set to continue at Cambridge to follow in his father's footsteps and enter the Anglican ministry. He was ordained a deacon in 1783 but never proceeded to priest's orders.
