Francis Fearon's ideas and hidden network of African antislavery in nineteenth-century Gold Coast

Journal article

This article critically examines the anti-slavery activism of Francis P. Fearon, an African activist based in late 19th nineteenth-century Accra. His correspondence with the Aborigines' Aborigines’ Protection Society (APS) provides a profound insight into the dynamics of African abolitionism. By analysing a collection of letters housed in the APS archive, this study sheds light on Fearon's commitment to abolishing slavery, driven by his principled opposition to family separation. The article underscores Fearon's active involvement in a network of African anti-slavery advocates who sought to disrupt the institution of slavery through legal challenges and international advocacy. This research extends the growing literature on African abolitionism, which primarily focuses on the efforts of African missionaries, educated elites, and grassroots movements, adding a new dimension by exploring the operations of a dedicated network committed to the abolitionist cause.

Authors: Odijie, E

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Journal: Journal of African History
• Volume: 65
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 366 - 380
• Publication date: 2025-02-20
• Acceptance date: 2024-10-01
• DOI: 10.1017/S0021853724000483
• EISSN: 1469-5138
• ISSN: 0021-8537
• Language: English
• Keywords: Ghana; slavery; West Africa; colonial administration; slave trade; activism; abolition