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1. Scrap books compiled by Thompson and Chesson

   19 scrapbooks. Linear feet of shelf space occupied: 3. Approximate number of items: 2500 . -- Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

   Summary:

   The collection comprises of 19 scrapbooks consisting of newspaper clippings from various sources documenting the activities of George D. Thompson and writings by F.W. Chesson. The volumes also include handwritten notes by Thompson, pamphlets and handbills, letters to the editor, newspaper reports, essays and book reviews written by Chesson. The first six volumes, (volumes 1-6 of the scrapbooks) were compiled between 1835-1846 by George Donisthorpe Thompson (1804-1878), British abolitionist, lecturer and antislavery activist. Thompson founded the Edinburgh Society for the Abolition of Slavery Throughout the World in 1833. He worked with William Lloyd Garrison, John Greenleaf Whittier and other members of the American Anti-Slavery Society and was instrumental in establishing early abolitionist societies in both the United Kingdom and the United States. In 1847, Thompson was elected as a Member of Parliament where he served until 1852. The collection also comprises of 13 volumes (volumes 7-19 of the scrapbooks) compiled between 1854-1886 by Frederick William Chesson (1833 or 1834-1888), English journalist, influential anti-slavery proponent and secretary of the London Aborigines’ Protection Society. In 1855, Chesson married Amelia Thompson, the daughter of George Thompson. Together in 1859, F.W. Chesson and George Thompson founded the London Emancipation Society. Call number: E449.S43