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George Thompson

(1804-1878), Slavery abolitionist

Early Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 8 portraits
Widely known as a propagandist for the abolition of slavery in the British colonies. He made a series of lectures in 1833 that led to the creation of 'the Edinburgh Society for the abolition of slavery throughout the world'. The next year he travelled to the United States where he worked for the abolition of slavery with members of the American Anti-Slavery Society. He was instrumental in forming more than 300 abolitionist branch associations. However, his life was constantly in danger, and in 1835, he was forced to escape from Boston back to Britain. Thompson was also involved in the National Parliamentary Reform Association and was a member of the Anti-Corn Law League. He was an MP from 1847 until 1852.

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The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840, by Benjamin Robert Haydon - NPG 599

The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840

by Benjamin Robert Haydon
oil on canvas, 1841
On display in Room 20 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 599

George Thompson, by Harry Furniss - NPG 3523

George Thompson

by Harry Furniss
pen and ink, 1880s-1900s
NPG 3523

George Thompson, by Charles Turner, published by and after George Evans - NPG D40423

George Thompson

by Charles Turner, published by and after George Evans
mezzotint, published 12 November 1842
NPG D40423

George Thompson, by Charles Turner, published by and after George Evans - NPG D40424

George Thompson

by Charles Turner, published by and after George Evans
mezzotint, published 12 November 1842
NPG D40424

George Thompson, by Charles Turner, after George Evans - NPG D4367

George Thompson

by Charles Turner, after George Evans
mezzotint, published 1842
NPG D4367

'The Abolition of the Slave Trade' (The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840), by John Alfred Vinter, after Benjamin Robert Haydon - NPG D23546

'The Abolition of the Slave Trade' (The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840)

by John Alfred Vinter, after Benjamin Robert Haydon
lithograph, circa 1846-1864 (1841)
NPG D23546

'The Abolition of the Slave Trade' (The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840), by John Alfred Vinter, after Benjamin Robert Haydon - NPG D32033

'The Abolition of the Slave Trade' (The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840)

by John Alfred Vinter, after Benjamin Robert Haydon
lithograph, circa 1846-1864 (1841)
NPG D32033

'The Abolition of the Slave Trade' (The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840), by John Alfred Vinter, after Benjamin Robert Haydon - NPG D20516

'The Abolition of the Slave Trade' (The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840)

by John Alfred Vinter, after Benjamin Robert Haydon
lithograph, circa 1846-1864 (1841)
NPG D20516

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