Born: 4 December 1769 (Leicester, England)
Died: 18 October 1831
Biography:
Elizabeth Heyrick (née Coltman; 4 December 1769 – 18 October 1831) was an English philanthropist and campaigner against the slave trade. She supported immediate, rather than gradual, abolition.
Born in Leicester, Elizabeth was the daughter of John Coltman, a manufacturer of worsted cloth, and a Unitarian. Her mother, Elizabeth Cartwright, was a poet and writer. At a young age, she met John Wesley when he visited her family, and this encounter sparked her interest in Methodism. She later became a schoolteacher, embracing her passion for education.
In 1787, Elizabeth married John Heyrick, a lawyer and descendant of the poet Robert Herrick. However, tragedy struck when her husband passed away in 1795, leaving her a young widow at the age of 25. Seeking solace and guidance, she turned to the Quaker faith, which played a significant role in shaping her future activism. Inspired by her faith and motivated by a desire for social reform, Elizabeth emerged as one of the most prominent radical women activists of the 1820s.
During the early 19th century, prominent leaders of the British abolitionist movement, such as William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson, believed that the abolition of the slave trade in 1807 would pave the way for the gradual elimination of slavery itself. However, as time passed, it became clear that slavery persisted despite the abolition of the trade. This realization prompted supporters of immediate abolition, like Heyrick, to voice their concerns.
In 1823 or 1824, Heyrick published a pamphlet entitled Immediate, not Gradual Abolition, challenging the assumptions of leading anti-slavery campaigners and advocating for the immediate emancipation of slaves. Heyrick criticized figures like Wilberforce for their belief that slavery would naturally fade away. She highlighted the need for a more assertive approach and stated, The West Indian planters have occupied much too prominent a place in the discussion of this great question. The abolitionists have shown a great deal too much politeness and accommodation towards these gentlemen. Heyrick’s pamphlet had a profound impact on the movement, leading to a shift in focus towards the immediate abandonment of slavery as a sin.
Recognizing the importance of public awareness and economic pressure in the fight against slavery, Heyrick advocated for a boycott of West Indian sugar to undermine the profits of slave owners and importers of slave-produced goods. She personally visited grocers’ shops in Leicester, persuading them not to stock sugar from the West Indies. Heyrick believed that women, with their ability to empathize with the suffering of others, had a crucial role to play in advocating for the oppressed.
In 1823, Heyrick became a founding member of the Anti-Slavery Society, officially known as the Society for the Mitigation and Gradual Abolition of Slavery Throughout the British Dominions. Alongside fellow activists, such as Mary Lloyd, Jane Smeal, Elizabeth Pease, Joseph Sturge, Thomas Clarkson, William Wilberforce, Henry Brougham, Thomas Fowell Buxton, and Anne Knight, Heyrick played an instrumental role in shaping this influential organization.
Throughout her life, Elizabeth Heyrick fought tirelessly for the rights and freedoms of enslaved individuals. She challenged the status quo, bringing attention to the brutality of slavery and advocating for immediate emancipation. Heyrick’s dedication to her cause and her strategic approach to activism left a lasting impact on the abolitionist movement in British society.