Anthony Benezet

Antoine Benezet

["Quaker Educator", "Abolitionist", "Author"]

Born Jan 31, 1713

Saint-Quentin (Picardy), France

Passed Away May 03, 1784 Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), United States

Lifespan 71 years old

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Notice / Correction

"I can with truth say that I have found amongst the Negroes as great a variety of talents and virtues as amongst any other race of mankind."

Archival Overview

French-born American Quaker educator and philosopher hailed as the 'Father of Atlantic Abolitionism', who founded the first public school for Black children in Philadelphia and convinced American and British Quakers to outlaw slavery.

Biographical Record

Anthony Benezet (1713–1784) fled Huguenot persecution to London before settling in Philadelphia, where he joined the Religious Society of Friends. Convinced of the full spiritual and intellectual equality of Black people, he founded the Negro School at Philadelphia in 1770, personally teaching enslaved and free Black children.

Benezet authored influential anti-slavery tracts including 'Some Historical Account of Guinea' (1771), which circulated across Europe and directly inspired Thomas Clarkson, John Wesley, and Benjamin Franklin. At his funeral in 1784, several hundred Black Philadelphians marched in solemn procession to honor their greatest champion.

Key Life Milestones

1770

Founding of the Negro School at Philadelphia

Established North America's first dedicated educational academy for free and enslaved Black youth.

1775

Founding of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society

Co-founded the world's first formal abolitionist organization in Philadelphia.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Friends Arch Street Meeting House Burial Ground
Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), United States

                         GPS: 39.9522, -75.1481                    

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