US Slavery and Yorkshire Anti-Slavery - forgotten narratives from the Leeds Archive

Leeds Being Human Festival 2016, Journeys of Hope and Fear – "US Slavery and Yorkshire Anti-Slavery: forgotten Narratives from the Leeds Archive".

A country wide event in conjunction with University of Leeds and Joe Williams of Heritage Corner.  17th – 25th November 2016

If you were living in Leeds in the 1840s and 1850s you would undoubtedly have heard of the anti-slavery speeches made to huge local audiences by African American activists and their supporters. We start with a guided walk in which you will visit sites associated with the entwined histories of African self-emancipation and anti-slavery activism in nineteenth-century Leeds. After this, there will be a public discussion at the University of Leeds on the significance of the archives of anti-slavery activism. Finally, there will be a chance to visit the Leeds Library, founded in 1768. There you can see an exhibition from the Leeds Library’s collections on activist, onetime library member and Quaker businessman Wilson Armistead (1819-1868), and other Leeds abolitionists. Enjoy 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 guided walk, public lecture and play “Meet the Crafts” will all take place on 23rd November:

The guided walk is from 1.15-3.15 setting off from the steps of the Parkinson building, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, LS2 9JT.

The public lecture will be at the University of Leeds, from 4.00-5.30pm.

"Meet the Crafts" will be performed at the Leeds Library, 18 Commercial Street, Leeds, LS1 6AL. The performance will start at 7.00pm and last for approximately one hour.

All the events are free and open to the public, but booking is essential. To book a place please contact counter@theleedslibrary.org.uk or telephone 0113 2453071.