When the Anti-Slavery Society was founded in 1823, it was confronted by a formidable lobby comprising slaveholders, merchants, politicians, journalists and intellectuals. This talk explores the ferocious campaign of the British pro-slavery lobby to preserve the institution of colonial slavery – even, in 1833, securing £20m in compensation for the slaveholders.

Michael is the author of The Interest: How the British Establishment Resisted the Abolition of Slavery

Registration will be from 1 September: https://berwickliteraryfestival.com/