Granville Sharp

Granville Sharp was a prominent English abolitionist, theologian, and writer who played a significant role in the Abolitionist Movement in England during the 18th and 19th centuries. He was a close friend and collaborator of William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson, and Olaudah Equiano, and worked tirelessly to end the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery in the British Empire. Sharp's work was influenced by the ideas of John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Immanuel Kant, and he was a strong advocate for the rights of African people, as seen in the works of Phillis Wheatley and Ignatius Sancho. He was also a member of the Clapham Sect, a group of Evangelical Christians who were committed to social reform and Abolitionism, including Henry Thornton and Zachary Macaulay.

● Early Life and Education

Granville Sharp was born in Durham, England in 1735 to Thomas Sharp and Elizabeth Sharp. He was the third of fourteen children, and his family was part of the English gentry. Sharp's early education took place at Durham School, where he developed a strong interest in Classics and Theology, influenced by the works of Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle. He later attended University of Cambridge, but did not graduate, instead choosing to pursue a career in Law and Politics, similar to Edmund Burke and Charles James Fox. Sharp's family was connected to the Church of England, and his brother John Sharp was a Bishop of Durham, while his other brother William Sharp was a Member of Parliament for Hartlepool.

● Career and Abolitionist Work

Granville Sharp's career as an Abolitionist began in the 1760s, when he became involved in the case of Jonathan Strong, a Slave who had been brutally treated by his Master. Sharp's work on the case led to the Somersett's Case in 1772, which established that Slavery was not supported by English Law, citing the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights. This case was a significant milestone in the Abolitionist Movement, and Sharp's work was praised by William Pitt the Younger and Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey. Sharp also worked closely with Thomas Clarkson and William Wilberforce to pass the Slave Trade Act 1807, which abolished the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the British Empire, and was supported by Napoleon Bonaparte and the French Revolution. He was a member of the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade, which included other notable Abolitionists such as Olaudah Equiano and Hannah More.

● Theology and Writings

Granville Sharp was a devout Christian and a strong believer in the importance of Theology and Biblical scholarship, influenced by the works of John Calvin and Martin Luther. He wrote several books on Theology and Biblical interpretation, including "A Declaration of the People's Natural Right to a Share in the Legislature" and "The Just Limitation of Slavery"', which cited the Bible and the works of Aristotle and Plato. Sharp's writings were widely read and respected, and he was a prominent figure in the Evangelical movement in England, along with George Whitefield and John Wesley. He was also a strong advocate for the rights of Jewish people, and wrote several works on Judaism and Christian-Jewish relations, including "A Short Sketch of the Evidence for the Abolition of the Slave-Trade"', which referenced the Talmud and the works of Maimonides.

● Legacy and Impact

Granville Sharp's legacy as an Abolitionist and Theologian is still celebrated today, and his work had a significant impact on the Abolitionist Movement in England and beyond, influencing Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. He is remembered as a pioneering figure in the fight against Slavery and Racism, and his writings continue to be studied by scholars and Historians around the world, including Eric Williams and C.L.R. James. Sharp's work was also recognized by King George III and Queen Charlotte, who praised his efforts to end the Transatlantic Slave Trade. He was a member of the Royal Society, and his work was supported by other notable figures such as Joseph Banks and William Herschel.

● Personal Life and Family

Granville Sharp never married, and dedicated his life to his work as an Abolitionist and Theologian. He was a close friend and collaborator of William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson, and worked closely with other notable Abolitionists such as Olaudah Equiano and Hannah More. Sharp's family was deeply involved in the Abolitionist Movement, and his brother John Sharp was a strong supporter of the Abolitionist cause, as was his sister Elizabeth Sharp, who worked with Elizabeth Fry to improve the lives of Women in Prison. Sharp died in 1813, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, where many other notable English figures are buried, including Isaac Newton and Charles Dickens. Category:Abolitionists