Gomer Williams – författare

First Published in 1967. Using a number of original sources of newspapers, rare documents, magazines and records this book offers the history of Liverpool privateering and the delicate subject of the Liverpool slave trading.

"Readers should not forget what is as hard to appreciate today in the case of slave trading as it was over a hundred years ago when Gomer Williams wrote his book - that both were legitimate endeavours in the eyes of domestic and emerging international law, and, more important, neither was viewed as in any way immoral: before the late eighteenth century, slave trading and privateering were seen as indistinguishable from trading in Baltic timber or Canadian furs." David Eltis, from the new introduction, 2004.

This book, first published in 1897, examines two important factors in the growth of Liverpool as a major port: privateering and the slave trade. It incorporates a large amount of primary source material, including extracts from letters and newspaper reports. Privateeering developed as Britain became a global maritime power through merchant shipping and exploration, privateers being ships and individuals authorised by the government through Letters of Marque to attack and capture foreign ships for profit. Williams recounts the exploits of several notorious privateers sailing from Liverpool, and describes how the industry functioned and flourished during the French revolution, the Seven Years' War and the American wars. He provides much practical detail, including how best to capture ships while causing them minimal damage. The second part of his book is still regarded as a classic history of the Liverpool slave trade, and clearly reveals the author's anti-imperialist views.

First Published in 1967. Using a number of original sources of newspapers, rare documents, magazines and records this book offers the history of Liverpool privateering and the delicate subject of the Liverpool slave trading.

First Published in 1967. Using a number of original sources of newspapers, rare documents, magazines and records this book offers the history of Liverpool privateering and the delicate subject of the Liverpool slave trading.

First Published in 1967. Using a number of original sources of newspapers, rare documents, magazines and records this book offers the history of Liverpool privateering and the delicate subject of the Liverpool slave trading.