John Burnet (abolitionist)
Encyclopedia
John Burnet was a pastor in Cork in Ireland before taking up the same position at the Mansion House Chapel in Camberwell
. He was a well known "platform speaker" speaking human rights issues particularly at Exeter Hall
. He was a leading member of both Congregational Union of England and the Bible Society
.
in 1789 and originally joined the army before becoming a pastor to an independent congregation in Cork
in Ireland
. A neat Grecian chapel was raised in George Street in Cork due to his efforts.
He came to England and took up a position as pastor to another Independent congregation at the Mansion House Chapel in Camberwell. He was a leading member of both the Congregational Union of England and the Bible Society
, Peace Society the Liberation of Religion from State Control Society the Society for the Abolition of Capital Punishments
Burnet was not known for his preaching, but more as an orator and speaker on platforms like Exeter Hall
. He spoke against the Corn Laws and for Anti-Slavery
. In 19 March 1838, Burnet was with Peter Clare, Rev. W.N. Bunting; William Dilworth Crewdson when they presented a petition to Queen Victoria signed by 28,386 females of Manchester and Salford who requested freedom for the negro apprentices in the British Colonies. (A similar petition was presented by Lord Brougham, Joseph Sturge
, Captain Hansard RN and the Reverend Thomas Scales based on resolutions passed ar meetings at Exeter Hall of "friends of the negro".).
He attended the 1840 and 1843 Anti-Slavery conventions and spoke at the Freemasons Hall concerning anti-slavery. A less than generous account was given at the time of one his speeches:
It was said that his supporters considered putting him forward for parliament but these did not come to fruition.
Camberwell
Camberwell is a district of south London, England, and forms part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is a built-up inner city district located southeast of Charing Cross. To the west it has a boundary with the London Borough of Lambeth.-Toponymy:...
. He was a well known "platform speaker" speaking human rights issues particularly at Exeter Hall
Exeter Hall
Exeter Hall was a hall on the north side of The Strand, London, England. It was erected between 1829 and 1831 on the site of Exeter Exchange, to designs by John Peter Gandy, the brother of the visionary architect Joseph Michael Gandy...
. He was a leading member of both Congregational Union of England and the Bible Society
Bible society
A Bible society is a non-profit organization devoted to translating, publishing, distributing the Bible at affordable costs and advocating its credibility and trustworthiness in contemporary cultural life...
.
Biography
Burnet was born in PerthPerth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
in 1789 and originally joined the army before becoming a pastor to an independent congregation in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. A neat Grecian chapel was raised in George Street in Cork due to his efforts.
He came to England and took up a position as pastor to another Independent congregation at the Mansion House Chapel in Camberwell. He was a leading member of both the Congregational Union of England and the Bible Society
Bible society
A Bible society is a non-profit organization devoted to translating, publishing, distributing the Bible at affordable costs and advocating its credibility and trustworthiness in contemporary cultural life...
, Peace Society the Liberation of Religion from State Control Society the Society for the Abolition of Capital Punishments
Burnet was not known for his preaching, but more as an orator and speaker on platforms like Exeter Hall
Exeter Hall
Exeter Hall was a hall on the north side of The Strand, London, England. It was erected between 1829 and 1831 on the site of Exeter Exchange, to designs by John Peter Gandy, the brother of the visionary architect Joseph Michael Gandy...
. He spoke against the Corn Laws and for Anti-Slavery
Anti-Slavery International
Anti-Slavery International is an international nongovernmental organization, charity and a lobby group, based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1839, it is the world's oldest international human rights organization, and the only charity in the United Kingdom to work exclusively against slavery and...
. In 19 March 1838, Burnet was with Peter Clare, Rev. W.N. Bunting; William Dilworth Crewdson when they presented a petition to Queen Victoria signed by 28,386 females of Manchester and Salford who requested freedom for the negro apprentices in the British Colonies. (A similar petition was presented by Lord Brougham, Joseph Sturge
Joseph Sturge
Joseph Sturge , son of a farmer in Gloucestershire, was an English Quaker, abolitionist and activist. He founded the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society . He worked throughout his life in Radical political actions supporting pacifism, working-class rights, and the universal emancipation of...
, Captain Hansard RN and the Reverend Thomas Scales based on resolutions passed ar meetings at Exeter Hall of "friends of the negro".).
He attended the 1840 and 1843 Anti-Slavery conventions and spoke at the Freemasons Hall concerning anti-slavery. A less than generous account was given at the time of one his speeches:
It was said that his supporters considered putting him forward for parliament but these did not come to fruition.