Women of the anti-slavery movement

Anti-slavery societies were established in both Britain and America early in the nineteenth century and from an early date included women campaigners despite the prejudice of some leaders. Typical of female abolitionists, the Weston sisters wrote, and collected monies and signatures for petitions but rarely spoke in public to advocate this peculiarly feminist cause.

Emancipation was won in Britain in 1833 but in the United States was delayed until 1865. In the intervening years, the Westons and their friends worked on both sides of the Atlantic - America, France and Britain - to end slave labour. This study uncovers their work, connections and campaigns, and their contribution both to the anti-slavery movement and to the forging of an Anglo-American democratic alliance.