BRITSBURGH FESTIVAL - Benjamin Lay and the Theatre of Anti-Slavery - [REGISTRATION IS CLOSED]

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED.

Join with Britsburgh at the Pittsburgh Friends Meeting House to learn about the extraordinary life of “The Fearless Benjamin Lay: The Quaker Dwarf Who Became The First Revolutionary Abolitionist”

Britsburgh is pleased to be joining with the Pittsburgh Friends Meeting House to present a lecture on Benjamin Lay by his fiercest modern advocate. University of Pittsburgh professor Marcus Rediker has written THE book (and graphic novel and soon-to-be-produced West End play) on The Fearless Benjamin Lay: The Quaker Dwarf Who Became The First Revolutionary Abolitionist. The lecture will be followed by a reception with light refreshments.

"Benjamin Lay and the Theatre of Anti-Slavery"

This lecture explores the life and times of Benjamin Lay (1682-1759), the Quaker dwarf who became one of the first to demand the total, unconditional emancipation of all enslaved Africans around the world. He lived in a cave, made his own clothes, refused to consume anything produced by slave labor, championed animal rights, and embraced vegetarianism. He acted on his ideals to create a new, revolutionary way of life. The lecture asks, how did Lay make the breakthrough to abolitionism at a time when so many of his peers, including Quakers, accepted slavery? And why is this pioneer of anti-slavery so little known today?

About Marcus Rediker

Marcus Rediker is Distinguished Professor of Atlantic History at the University of Pittsburgh. His “histories from below” have won numerous awards, including the George Washington Book Prize, and have been translated into seventeen languages worldwide. He is the author of The Slave Ship: A Human History (2007) and The Fearless Benjamin Lay: The Quaker Dwarf who became the First Revolutionary Abolitionist (2017), on which this lecture is based. He produced a prize-winning documentary film, Ghosts of Amistad (2013), directed by Tony Buba. He is currently working as guest curator in the JMW Turner Gallery at Tate Britain and writing a book about escaping slavery by sea in antebellum America. Photo credit: Curtis Reaves

The event will conclude with time for questions and answers and light refreshments.

There is NO CHARGE to you for this event. However, because of the importance of this topic to today's society, Britsburgh has been willing to invest in arranging for Professor Rediker to deliver this lecture as part of this year’s festival. Therefore, we would kindly ask you give generously to help us defray this cost. A suggested donation of $25 would be very welcome please. 

There will be copies of Professor Rediker's books available for purchase by CASH ONLY at the event. The Fearless Benjamin Lay: The Quaker Dwarf Who Became The First Revolutionary Abolitionist will be available for $15, and Prophet Against Slavery: Benjamin Lay, A Graphic Novel, will be available for $10. 

Please register online in advance; no "at the door" admissions available. 

NOTE: This event is planned to be held on the outdoor patio of the Pittsburgh Friends Meeting House. In case of inclement weather the lecture will be held inside the Meeting House. In that case, all those attending will be asked to wear masks. (Please bring a mask with you just in case.)

THE DETAILS

WHEN: Wednesday, September 7, 2022 from 7 - 9 p.m.

WHERE: Pittsburgh Friends Meeting House, 4836 Ellsworth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. The venue has a parking lot that will accommodate approximately 20 cars. On-street parking on Ellsworth (no permit needed after 6pm). Also accessible by Pittsburgh Regional Transit's 75 busline on Ellsworth, and other PRT service on 5th Ave. not too far away.

TICKETS: Please Register for this FREE event. Advance tickets only - no tickets will be available at the door. Donations to support Britsburgh are always welcomed and much appreciated. There will be copies of Professor Rediker's books available at the event for purchase by CASH ONLY at the event. The Fearless Benjamin Lay: The Quaker Dwarf Who Became The First Revolutionary Abolitionist will be available for $15, and Prophet Against Slavery: Benjamin Lay, A Graphic Novel, will be available for $10. 

Britsburgh supports COVID-19 Vaccination. Save lives and get vaxxed! For information on how to get yours visit CDC.GOV

COVID-19 policy: We are not currently requiring proof of vacination or testing. Britsburgh reserves the right to change its policy based on the Community Spread level and recommendations of the CDC. Ticket refunds will NOT be made just because our COVID policy changes!

This event is planned to be held on the outdoor patio of the Pittsburgh Friends Meeting House. In case of inclement weather the lecture will be held inside the Meeting House. In that case, all those attending will be asked to wear masks. (Please bring a mask with you just in case.)

PROGRAMME:

     6:30 - 7:00 PM: Registration and seating

     7:00 PM: Welcome and Introductions

     7:05 PM: "Benjamin Lay and the Theatre of Anti-Slavery" lecture by University of Pittsburgh professor Marcus Rediker 

     7:45 PM: Question and Answer Session following the lecture 

     8:00 PM: Light refreshments (iced tea, lemonade, cookies) and conversation

Explore fascinating British-themed topics with the guidance of experts, and enjoy the company and conversation of fellow enthusiasts as a member of Britsburgh! Visit the Britsburgh membership page to join.

This event is part of the 2022 Britsburgh Festival!