Address on the Anniversary of Emancipation in the British West Indies

Address on the Anniversary of Emancipation in the British West Indies

Abolition

This, Emerson’s first powerful attack on slavery, was delivered at the request of radical abolitionist Mary Merrick Brooks, wife of Concord lawyer Nathan Brooks. Following initial delivery of the address, Emerson—now a recognized antislavery advocate—was asked several times to reread it at abolition gatherings.

All materials courtesy of the William Munroe Special Collections at the Concord Free Public Library

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Concord Free Public Library

1844