Abolitionism in America


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Elizabeth Heyrick. Immediate, Not Gradual Abolition: or, An Inquiry into the Shortest, Safest, and Most Effectual Means of Getting Rid of West Indian Slavery. London: Sold by J. Hatchard, 1824.
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Elizabeth Heyrick
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Elizabeth Heyrick, a radical abolitionist and social reformer, wrote Immediate, Not Gradual Abolition in 1824, a publication that marked a turning point in the official stance of the British abolitionist movement. As treasurer of the Female Society for Birmingham, Heyrick stood up to advocate the immediate abolition of slavery at the National Conference of the Anti-Slavery Society. Although considered too radical by many abolitionists, she threatened to withdraw the organization's funds if “immediatism” was not adopted, and her insistence would eventually carry the movement forward toward this goal.

Samuel J. May Anti-Slavery Collection.

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Cornell University Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections Cornell University Library