Heathens, slaves and aborigines: Thomas Hodgkin's critique of missions and anti-slavery

Abstract

The Quaker doctor, scientist and philanthropist, Thomas Hodgkin (1798-1866) founded the Aborigines' Protection Society (APS) in 1837 in order to protect and promote the rights of indigenous peoples throughout the British Empire. While the Aborigines' Protection Society had limited success, Hodgkin's position as a humanitarian campaigner on imperial affairs and interest in human natural history gave him a distinctive perspective on the anti-slavery and missionary movements. Although Hodgkin acknowledged the importance of combating slavery and the slave-trade and was committed to missionary endeavours, his concern for the welfare and rights of indigenous peoples led him to criticize the priori..