The Ballad of Benjamin Lay co-written by historian Marcus Rediker and Dave Clinch was born out of the story of one of slavery’s earliest and most redoubtable opponents, The Fearless Benjamin Lay, The Quaker Dwarf Who Became the First Revolutionary Abolitionist and the title of Marcus's biography.

The song crystallises the extraordinary life of Benjamin Lay, shepherd, sailor, guerrilla activist, auto didact, author, vegan and educator. No doubt he was a difficult man, but he cannot be faulted for his implacable opposition to slavery. His actions paved the way for the 19th Century abolitionists in North America and in Britain. Sadly, he was expelled from the Quakers during his lifetime following his abolitionist activities

In 2018 he was returned to the Quaker fold, a poignant coda to the publication of Marcus Rediker's remarkable narrative.

www.versobooks.com/blogs/3496-radi…279-years-later

The Ballad of the Fearless Benjamin Lay by Marcus Rediker and Dave Clinch

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