Jane Austen, the Reluctant Abolitionist

Have you ever wondered what happened to the Blacks that remained loyal to the British Crown during the Revolutionary War and relocated to England? Or what happened to those of the African diaspora that relocated to England during the 18th century? Have you thought about those Blacks that lived in the Caribbean and received an inheritance from one of their parent’s? This is the case of the character Georgina Lambe in Jane Austen's unfinished novel Sanditon.

During Jane Austen's Regency Era, we know that there was some 20,000 freed Blacks working, performing, and living in England. The first Black man to vote in England's general election in 1774 was Ignatius Sancho. Dido Elizabeth Belle Lindsay, a mixed raced young lady received an inheritance from her British Naval Captain father. There are so many untold stories about people of the African diaspora in England.

Not all Black people were enslaved. This lecture will discuss the lives of those freed Blacks during Regency era England. Jane Austen’s letters and writing lead us to believe that not only was she aware of these people, she might even have been a hesitant abolitionist. Join us for this insightful discussion on rather Jane Austen could have been a reluctant abolitionist by association and her writing.

You will be invited to dress up in your regency regalia during this discussion. Those identifying as men can wear a cravats (neck scarf) and those identifying as women can wear bonnets (18th century hats). Come celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday with us.