A beautifully preserved example of the Memoirs of Thomas Fowell Buxton [1786-1845]. A long-time Christian philanthropist, he married into an influential Quaker family. His sister-in-law was Elizabeth Fry, and he joined the Gurney and Fry families in their advocacy against child labor, for trafficked women / prostitutes, for prison reform and, above, all, toward the abolition of slavery.

He became an MP and fast-friends with William Wilberforce. When Wilberforce died, with total abolition still not in reach, it was Buxton who carried it to the finish line. By 1840, at the Anti-Slavery Convention, he was still the central figure, shown speaking at its historic meeting in the final image included. 

Memoirs of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Bart Edited by his Son, Charles Buxton, Esq., B. A. With a Portrait and Woodcuts. Third Octavo Edition. London. John Murray. 1851. 612pp.

A very good copy, bound in leather, very solid, with generally bright pages and light foxing.