An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species, Particularly the African Translated from a Latin Dissertation, Which Was Honoured with the First Prize in the University of Cambridge, for the Year 1785, with Additions

"An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species, Particularly the African" by Thomas Clarkson is a deeply researched and passionate examination of the slave trade, written in the late 1700s, that challenges the very notion of owning another human being. The book builds its case by first reminding readers of figures throughout history who fought the injustice of slavery, and then presenting a historical overview of the practice of slavery itself. It differentiates between different kinds of servitude and sets the scene to argue against its justification. Key figures like Granville Sharp and James Ramsay, important activists in the fight to end slavery, are mentioned. Ultimately, the essay serves as a strong condemnation of slavery and an appeal to the public to recognize that the moral, ethical, and economic arguments against slavery are overwhelming.