Susanna Watts (1768–1842) was a noted English abolitionist, author, translator and artist.

Biography

Watts was born in 1768, in Danet's Hall,

Leicester Leicester ( ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city, Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority and the county town of Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England. It is the largest settlement in the East Midlands. The city l ...

, the youngest of three sisters and the only child of John and Joan Watts to survive childhood. Her family was left impoverished after her uncle (who had supported the family after Watts' father died when she was 15 months old), died when she was 15. Watts took up writing in order to earn money to support herself and her mother. Her poetry was noted for its anti-slavery themes. Watts published a poem directed at

William Wilberforce William Wilberforce (24 August 175929 July 1833) was a British politician, philanthropist and leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becom ...

criticising his views on women working in the abolitionist movement. Despite Wilberforce's views, Watts and her friend

Elizabeth Heyrick Elizabeth Heyrick (née Coltman; 4 December 1769 – 18 October 1831) was an English philanthropist and campaigner against the slave trade. She supported immediate, rather than gradual, abolition. Early life Born in Leicester, Elizabeth was t ...

continued campaigning against slavery, including founding

The Humming Bird ''The Humming Bird'' (also known as ''Les loups de Montmartre'') is a 1924 American silent crime drama film directed by Sidney Olcott and starring Gloria Swanson. Produced by Famous Players–Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures, the fil ...

, the first anti-slavery periodical. Heyrick and Watts would visit greengrocers and other businesses to encourage the owners to not purchase Caribbean sugar and other products produced by slave labour. Watts published a number of translations, collections of poetry, and travel writing. Upon Heyrick's death in 1834, Watts published a poem ''To the Memory of Eliizabeth Heyrick.'' Watts' reputation led to her being noted in Mary Pilkington's ''Memoirs of Celebrated Female Characters.'' She published her guidebook ''A Walk Through Leicester'' anonymously, and referred to herself as 'he' in the address at the beginning of the book. Watts also founded the philanthropical organisation, Society of the Relief of Indigent Old Age, as well as publishing books on the treatment of animals. Her scrapbook is now held by the Leicestershire Records Office.

Selected published works

*''Chinese maxims, translated from The oeconomy of human life, into heroic verse'' - (Translation) (1784). *''The Wonderful Travels of Prince Fan-Feredin, in the Country of Arcadia'' – (Translation) (1799). *''Original Poems and Translations'' (1802). *''A Walk Through Leicester'' (1804). *''The Insects in Council, Addressed to Entomologists, with Other Poems''. (1828) *''The Animals’ Friend: a Collection of Observations and Facts Tending to Restrain Cruelty, and to Inculcate Kindness towards Animals'' (1831)

References

1768 births 1842 deaths Writers from Leicester English abolitionists English non-fiction writers English translators English women poets English women non-fiction writers {{England-writer-stub