English abolitionist (1760-1846) who was a leading campaigner against the slave trade in the British Empire. ALS signed “T. Clarkson,” one page, 7 x 9, January 17, 1811. Handwritten letter to radical English clergyman and social reformer William Frend, in part: "My friend, and old fellow-labourer, Dr. Dickson is going to publish a work, not only shewing how Slaves may be gradually bought from a state of Slavery to freedom, but also that the purchase of new negroes is always attended with loss. This latter proposition, if reduced to an axiom, would have its might, and he is therefore very desirous, that you, as an able mathematician, should give him about 3 Hours (it will require no more) to investigate in your own closet his new theorem. I have no doubt, from the great interest you have always taken in this great question, that you will most readily comply with Dr. Dickson's request." The letter is annotated and signed on the reverse by the activist Sophia Elizabeth De Morgan: "This letter was addressed to my father William Frend who had worked with Thomas Clarkson some years before for the Abolition of Negro Slavery." In fine condition, with a few tiny edge tears. Accompanied by an engraved portrait.
In 1814, William Dickson published a work entitled 'Mitigation of Slavery, In Two Parts.' In the second part, he attempted to prove, mathematically, 'that bought Slaves, who keep not up their Numbers by the Births, do not nearly refund their Purchase-Money, and that the Planter’s true Resource is to rear his Slaves.' With this unusual approach, Dickson hoped to discourage the purchase of slaves purely on financial—rather than humanitarian—grounds. In truth, he had become an abolitionist as a result of his experience as secretary to the Governor of Barbados, where he had observed firsthand the brutality with which the enslaved were treated. A fascinating letter from an important figure in the abolitionist movement.
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