Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History, I’m your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we’re journeying back to an important milestone in the abolitionist movement that occurred on October 7, 1833. On this day, four major Scottish emancipation societies were formed: the Edinburgh Emancipation Society, the Edinburgh Ladies' Emancipation Society, the Glasgow Emancipation Society, and the Glasgow Ladies' Emancipation Society. These organizations played a pivotal role in the fight to end slavery, not just in Britain, but across the Atlantic in America.

By the early 1830s, the British Empire had already taken significant steps toward the abolition of slavery. The Slavery Abolition Act was passed in 1833, effectively ending slavery in most British colonies. However, this did not mark the end of the battle for these Scottish abolitionists. Their focus shifted to the United States, where slavery remained a brutal reality for millions of African Americans.

The formation of these emancipation societies in Edinburgh and Glasgow was driven by a deep conviction that slavery in any form, anywhere in the world, was a gross violation of human rights. The groups worked tirelessly to support the American abolitionist cause, advocating for the immediate emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S.

These Scottish societies, particularly those led by women, were part of a broader movement of anti-slavery activism across the British Isles. Edinburgh and Glasgow were seen as strongholds of this activism, alongside cities like Bristol, Dublin, and Clifton. But what made the Scottish emancipation societies stand out was their unwavering support for the immediate end to slavery, aligning themselves with the more radical American abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison.

Garrison was a controversial figure in abolitionist circles because of his firm stance on immediate emancipation without compensation to slave owners. His views were seen as too radical by some, who preferred a more gradual approach to the end of slavery. However, many of the Scottish emancipation societies, including those formed on October 7, 1833, shared Garrison’s conviction that waiting for a gradual end to slavery was unacceptable.

In fact, it was George Thompson, one of Garrison’s close allies, who helped to spark the formation of these Scottish societies. Thompson, a powerful orator and tireless abolitionist, was invited by the New England Emancipation Society to tour Scotland. His speeches galvanized support for Garrison’s ideals and inspired Scottish abolitionists to take direct action.

Women played a central role in the Scottish abolitionist movement. The formation of both the Edinburgh Ladies' Emancipation Society and the Glasgow Ladies' Emancipation Society reflected the growing involvement of women in political activism during the 19th century. Figures like Jane Wigham and Eliza Wigham of the Edinburgh Ladies' Emancipation Society are remembered as heroines of the movement. They corresponded with key figures in the global abolitionist community, including Frederick Douglass and Wendell Phillips, and hosted numerous abolitionist speakers in Scotland.

In 1860, the Edinburgh Ladies’ Society hosted American abolitionist and lecturer Sarah Parker Remond, an African-American woman who delivered a passionate speech to over 2,000 people in Edinburgh. Her presence and powerful words left a deep impact on her Scottish audience, further galvanizing anti-slavery efforts.

These women were not only advocates in public but also worked tirelessly behind the scenes. They corresponded with American activists, raised funds, and protested against organizations that benefitted from slavery, such as the Free Church of Scotland, which had accepted money from American slaveholders. In one memorable act of protest, members of the Edinburgh society famously wrote "Send Back the Money" on the grass of Salisbury Crags, demanding that the church return the funds.

The Edinburgh and Glasgow emancipation societies maintained their momentum throughout the 19th century, even as the abolitionist movement in other parts of the UK began to splinter. Despite disagreements between the more radical Garrisonians and the conservative British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, the Scottish organizations persisted. The Wigham family, particularly Jane and Eliza, played a crucial role in keeping the Edinburgh Ladies' Emancipation Society active well into the 1870s.

These Scottish societies were not just reacting to the horrors of slavery in the American South but were part of a larger global movement. They formed alliances with other abolitionists across the Atlantic, contributing money and resources to help fund the Underground Railroad, which assisted enslaved people in their dangerous journey to freedom in Canada. Eliza Wigham, for example, corresponded with American abolitionist Levi Coffin, known as the "President of the Underground Railroad," and sent money to support his efforts.

The significance of the emancipation societies’ work cannot be overstated. Their influence extended far beyond the borders of Scotland, helping to shape the global discourse on human rights and the abolition of slavery. In more recent years, historians and activists have sought to revive the memory of these "forgotten heroines," particularly the women whose work was so instrumental in the success of the movement.

As we look back on October 7, 1833, we remember the profound impact that these Scottish emancipation societies had on the global fight against slavery. Their commitment to justice, their international collaborations, and their fearless advocacy for immediate emancipation continue to inspire us today. The abolition of slavery was not a foregone conclusion, and it took the courage and determination of people like those in the Edinburgh and Glasgow societies to bring about real change.

Thank you for joining me on this exploration of Scotland’s abolitionist history. I’m Colin MacDonald, and this has been This Day in Scottish History. Tune in next time for more stories from Scotland’s remarkable past. Haste ye back!

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