Protecting the Empire's Humanity: Thomas Hodgkin and British Colonial Activism 1830-1870

This book explores the efforts of the Aborigines Protection Society to expose Britain's hypocrisy and imperial crimes in the mid-nineteenth century through the extraordinary archive of Quaker physician and humanitarian activist Dr Thomas Hodgkin.

Format: Hardback
Length: 330 pages
Publication date: 23 September 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This captivating book delves into the profound endeavors of the Aborigines Protection Society, driven by the remarkable archive of Quaker physician and humanitarian activist, Dr Thomas Hodgkin. With a wide range of correspondents spanning from Liberia to Lesotho, New Zealand to Texas, Jamaica to Ontario, and Bombay to South Australia, the Society sought to expose the duplicity and imperial crimes of Britain in the mid-nineteenth century. These correspondents included scientists, philanthropists, missionaries, systematic colonizers, politicians, and indigenous peoples themselves, engaging in spirited debates about the best ways to safeguard and advance the rights of indigenous communities amidst the burgeoning settler colonialism of the time. Drawing upon the lessons and limitations of anti-slavery movements, they expressed deep sorrow over the imperial government's disavowal of responsibility for settler colonies. At the same time, they presented elaborate and patronizing plans for the civilization of indigenous peoples, showcasing the complex, contradictory, and expansive nature of British colonialism and metropolitan humanitarianism. Through the lens of these British and Indigenous campaigners, Protecting the Empire's Humanity offers a unique perspective on the broad expanse of the empire, illuminating the diverse voices and actions that shaped its history.

Weight: 688g
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107196322