At the age of 20 he had already left the Royal Navy to become a land-based slave dealer in Africa. But Liverpool didn’t introduce Newton to the slave trade, he did that all by himself. ![]() Newton had arrived in Liverpool after a spiritual conversion at sea, an event that would later inspire his Amazing Grace. Liverpool provided him with employment on slave ships, but it would inspire him to make the transition from the quarterdeck to the pulpit. A bizarre circumstance, considering the key aspects of Newton’s life happened while he was here, being the transformation from a slave ship captain to Anglican minister, and being a diarist and author. Yet until recent years, little attempt had been made to fully explore his time here. Hundreds of books have been written about his life, all based on these sources. It’s often mentioned in his letters, diaries and journal. Liverpool was Newton’s workplace, and later home, for 16 years – from 1748 to 1764. Newton in 1788, pastel by John Russell (1745–1806) See: ‘A map showing 30 locations relating to Newton‘. For anyone wishing to visit these locations, we have included a modern map with each listed. We’ll also be making small excursions to Wavertree, Childwall, Woolton and New Brighton. We’ll see some of town’s famous buildings in the 18th century that were important to his life story from its smallest chapels to grandest churches, its town hall and its revolutionary dock. We’ll visit the sites of the homes where Newton’s colleagues and companions lived. So much so, that a few months before he left he’d even write ‘I love the place.’ Rather than being a mere backdrop to his early life, we’ll show how much Liverpool shaped Newton, and how much the town and its occupants meant to him. The stories connected to these locations provide a valuable insight into the life and character of the man. You can find out more about the hymn, and the Cowper & Newton Museums commerorations of its 250th anniversary, on their website page Amazing Grace at 250.
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