The Clapham Sect: How Wilberforces Circle Transformed Britain

Book review: "The Clapham Sect: How Wilberforce’s Circle Transformed Britain"

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After many decades of work both in British society and in Parliament , the group saw their efforts rewarded with the final passage of the Slave Trade Act in , banning the trade throughout the British Empire and, after many further years of campaigning, the total emancipation of British slaves with the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act in They also campaigned vigorously for Britain to use its influence to eradicate slavery throughout the world. By when evangelical bishop John Bird Sumner became Archbishop of Canterbury , it is said that between a quarter and a third of Anglican clergy were linked to the movement, which by then had diversified greatly in its goals, although they were no longer considered an organised faction.

The Clapham Sect have been credited with playing a significant part in the development of Victorian morality , through their writings, their societies, their influence in Parliament, and their example in philanthropy and moral campaigns, especially against slavery. In the words of Tomkins, "The ethos of Clapham became the spirit of the age. Members of the Clapham Sect included: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. England — , p Some Social and Political Aspects.

Retrieved from " https: Clapham Sect History of the Church of England Church of England societies and organisations 19th-century disestablishments in England English theologians Abolitionist movements Evangelical Anglicanism Anglican organizations established in the 18th century 19th-century Protestantism 18th-century Protestantism Clapham History of the London Borough of Lambeth.

EngvarB from October Use dmy dates from October Views Read Edit View history. The Clapham Sect was a group of evangelical Christians, prominent in England from about to , who campaigned for the abolition of slavery and promoted missionary work at home and abroad. The group centred on the church of John Venn, rector of Clapham in south London.

Its members included William Wilberforce, Henry Thornton, James Stephen, Zachary Macaulay and other The Clapham Sect was a group of evangelical Christians, prominent in England from about to , who campaigned for the abolition of slavery and promoted missionary work at home and abroad. Stephen Tomkins tells the fascinating story of the group as one of a web of family relations - father and son, aunt and nephew, husband and wife, daughter and father, cousins, etc.

Within the story of the people are the stories of their famous campaigns against the slave trade, then slavery, the Sierra Leone colony, Indian mission, home mission, charity and politics. The book ends by assessing the long term influence of the Clapham Sect on Victorian Britain and the Empire. Paperback , pages. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

To ask other readers questions about The Clapham Sect , please sign up. Lists with This Book. Aug 22, chrissie rated it liked it Shelves: An interesting book, I learnt a lot of the story of Wilberforce's part in the abolition of slavery, I suppose I had been taught that he singlehandedly won the fight but I found out there were a whole group of people, with the same religious outlook who took up the fight with him.

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I also didn't realise how long it had taken, in this day and age the whole idea of slavery is so appalling that it is difficult to see why it would take 30 years to make a decision. As the author states " This particular one , covering 3 generations of the same families We meet a lot of people with the same names and this can be a bit tedious, I do have to mention that I also was reading this in conjunction with other books and therefore it took me longer to read than it would otherwise have taken, which did not help either!

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There were also times when the author would go back and forth in time, not too much but occasionally it was a little confusing and meant a re-read of the previous paragraphs. All in all I liked the book as it taught me a lot, although in a limited way, about the road to the abolition of slavery in Africa and the involvement in England of one smallish group of people.

It is thought provoking and educational, a small glimpse into the motives and actions of that small group of people in England in the late 18th and early 19th century but it is a start if you are fond of religious history, slavery abolition or just want to read a little more of the subject. Worth a read in my opinion. Oct 20, Ian Smith rated it really liked it. One of the most extraordinary features of the history of the evangelical movement is that this radical movement of the 18th century to transform society through justice, peace and righteousness has been commandeered by a conservative agenda with a blinkered and narrow perspective on morality, and an unashamedly capitalist world view that glorifies greed and threatens to destroy our planet.

How would the political pioneers of the misnamed Clapham sect view the evangelical church today? They wou One of the most extraordinary features of the history of the evangelical movement is that this radical movement of the 18th century to transform society through justice, peace and righteousness has been commandeered by a conservative agenda with a blinkered and narrow perspective on morality, and an unashamedly capitalist world view that glorifies greed and threatens to destroy our planet.

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They would surely decry the armchair religion that passes for faith; they would abhor the self indulgent passivity that pervades our so-called evangelical churches. This profoundly influential group of people used all the means at their disposal - propaganda, philanthropy and politics - to fight for the poor and disenfranchised.

They sought public office in order to bring about the end of the slave trade; they conducted research; they wrote books and tracts; they set up numerous societies and organizations; they even established a colony for freed slaves in Sierra Leone - a social and commercial venture with decidedly mixed and often catastrophic results, becoming the first place in the world where women were given the vote, yet ultimately consumed by civil war and commercial failure. At times - most certainly - yes.

The Clapham Sect: How Wilberforce's Circle Transformed Britain

This more recent book by Stephen Tomkins brilliantly describes these characters - warts and all - leaving one with a sense of awe and wonder at this group of very ordinary middle class people with extraordinary faith, perseverance, and self sacrifice. If there were another era in which I could choose to live, this would surely be it! Jan 01, Bill rated it liked it Shelves: Fascinating if you're interested in the subject, but a little too historically rigorous to be a page turner.

The book naturally revolves around Wilberforce and the abolition of slavery, but it's purpose is to examine the many other members of the Clapham Sect, and the many other causes they involved themselves in. Tomkins clearly admires the anti-slavery cause, but he is generally negative about the various efforts to enforce social morality and likewise reflects negati Thorough and informative.

Tomkins clearly admires the anti-slavery cause, but he is generally negative about the various efforts to enforce social morality and likewise reflects negatively on the paternalistic attitude of the upper class Clapham Sect towards working class people. Detailed and interesting account of the formation and influence of what became known as the "Clapham sect. This group of friends and neighbors helped bring about the end of the slave trade among other important achievements.

If you can keep track of all the different people involved, this is a really interesting read about the impact of a relatively small but incredibly driven group of friends and relations who have left a very significant mark on Britain - educational and inspiring. Sep 17, Dave rated it really liked it.

The Clapham Sect : how Wilberforce's circle transformed Britain / Stephen Tomkins - Details - Trove

This is an excellent book. If you enjoyed the movie Amazing Grace but want a more full historical account of the Clapham Sect's influence on British abolition, this is the book. Tomkins doesn't shy away from the failings and contradictions of Clapham. Even so, he's sympathetic -- rightfully so. Bo White rated it really liked it Oct 18, Richard Smith rated it liked it Aug 14, Michael Befus rated it liked it Oct 31, Megan Roberts rated it really liked it Aug 25, David Hernandez rated it it was amazing Nov 20, Francis Ritchie rated it liked it Mar 02, Vernon Rainwater rated it really liked it Sep 01,

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