1713–1784 · Saint-Quentin, France

Anthony Benezet

Intellectual Architect of the Abolitionist Movement

“No profit should tempt us to any practice inconsistent with truth.” — Anthony Benezet

Life & Ministry

1713

Born into a Huguenot family in Saint-Quentin. The family fled to England, then Pennsylvania.

1750s

Published his first essays against the slave trade, combining moral argument with documentary evidence.

1771

Published his most influential work, providing detailed evidence of the slave trade's horrors.

1784

Died in Philadelphia. Over 400 Black mourners attended his funeral — an extraordinary tribute.

Woolman provided the personal witness; Benezet organized the intellectual and political campaign.

Proposed

The documentary evidence that persuaded Clarkson and launched the parliamentary abolition campaign.

Proposed

A powerful warning about the moral consequences of the slave trade.