(Leeds)
Wednesday 23 November | 19.00–20.00
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After a guided walk visiting sites associated with the entwined histories of African self-emancipation and anti-slavery activism in nineteenth-century Leeds and a public debate, led by Professor Bridget Bennett (University of Leeds), at The Leeds Library on the significance of the archives of anti-slavery activism, the day is completed by a play tracing the extraordinary escape, from enslavement in Georgia, of Ellen and William Craft. The couple were each listed in the 1851 census as a ‘fugitive slave’ when they were hosted by Armistead in his home in Leeds. They went on to publish an acclaimed book, Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom (1860). The performance takes place in The Leeds Library, founded in 1768, alongside an exhibition on the Quaker businessman Wilson Armistead (1819-1868), himself a onetime library member. It will be preceded at 18.30 by a wine reception.
Free Admission | Booking required
This event is part of University of Leeds’ series Journeys of hope and fear
Related events: US slavery and Yorkshire anti-slavery: forgotten narratives (exhibition) | US slavery and Yorkshire anti-slavery: guided walk | US slavery and Yorkshire anti-slavery: forgotten narratives from the Leeds archive
Event enquiries: rileyj@theleedslibrary.org.uk, b.k.g.bennett@leeds.ac.uk
Led by: University of Leeds
In partnership with: Leeds Library | Joe Williams | Heritage Corner
