St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Thomas . . . but Thomas Clarkson? Not a household name, to be sure, nor was Clarkson formally canonized (canonization isn’t an Episcopal or Anglican practice).  Clarkson is nonetheless honored with a commemoration on the calendar of the Church of England, along with the better-known William Wilberforce and a formerly enslaved colleague.  This Lesser Feast, observed on July 30th, recognizes the crucial role all three men played in Great Britain’s abolitionist movement of the 18th-19th centuries.

The son of an Anglican priest, Thomas Clarkson was ordained a deacon in 1783 after graduating from Cambridge.  His plan to pursue a clerical career changed sharply after he researched the slave trade for an essay-writing competition.  Horrified by what he learned, Clarkson felt he had no choice but to work to abolish it.  He helped establish the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade with a group of Quaker activists in 1786, and he invited  Wilberforce to join the cause.

While Wilberforce used his position as a Member of Parliament to promote anti-slavery laws, Clarkson worked tirelessly to gather information and change public opinion.  He is said to have traveled over 35,000 miles on horseback around the country, including to visit slave-trading vessels, acquire chains and other artifacts, and distribute anti-slavery medallions.  Clarkson lived to see Great Britain abolish first the slave trade (1807) and then slavery itself throughout the British Empire (1833).

Clarkson’s life offers several considerations relevant for people today. 

— First was his obvious devotion to “seek and serve Christ in all people,” including the enslaved, and to “strive for justice” – promises that we make in our Baptismal Covenant.

— Clarkson also was dedicated to discerning the truth and how he was called to respond.  “Are these things true?” was a question he insistently asked himself after first learning of slavery’s brutalities.  If so, “Then surely some person should interfere.”  He willingly became that person.

— Clarkson changed his affiliations so as to be part of groups that better aligned with his values.  He never became an Anglican priest and instead declared toward the end of his life that he felt more at home among the Quakers. 

Curious to hear and discuss more?  Our deacon-in-training, Mary, will speak about Thomas Clarkson this Sunday, Jan.15, at 11:30 in Hudson Hall.  All are welcome!