Distant Freedom: St. Helena and the Abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade, 1840-1872

In 2008, archaeological excavations in Rupert’s Valley, on the South Atlantic island of St Helena, unearthed the graveyards of thousands of “recaptive” or “liberated Africans”. These people – virtually the last victims of the Middle Passage – had been aboard slave ships intercepted by Royal Naval patrols, but had died on their voyage to St Helena, or subsequently in the camps set up on the island to receive them. This lecture tells the story of this overlooked outpost of Abolition, and of the experiences of all those – both African and European – whose lives were drawn into the compass of Abolition, long after 1807 and far from the political ideals of London. This talk is part of the GLC Brown Bag Lunch Series. Bring your lunch and we’ll provide the drinks & dessert.