An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species, Particularly the African, was written by Thomas Clarkson in 1785, while he was a student at Cambridge University. Originally written in Latin, the essay was subsequently published in English. Thomas Clarkson became a leading campaigner against the slave trade.
Other notable abolitionists mentioned in this novel are William Wilberforce, William Grenville (1st Baron Grenville), and the Honorable Charles Fox. Of course, many more men and women were involved in the battle for abolition of the slave trade. Thankfully, they prevailed.