In 1788, the Reverend Richard Johnson sailed on the First Fleet with his wife Mary to take up an appointment by the Church of England as the first chaplain of the Australian prison colony of New South Wales. The choice of Johnson was no accident; it was due to the influence of William Wilberforce, Henry Thornton, John Newton, Hannah More and other members of a group that later became known as the “Clapham Sect”.
This collection of upper class, wealthy evangelical Anglicans who lived around Clapham (at the time, a small village south-west of London), were interested in social reform issues such as the abolition of slavery, the revision of the penal code, the regulation of working conditions in factories, and the promotion of schools and other educational ventures. Motivated by their Christian faith and their concern for justice and fairness for all, their legacy persists even today.
This year, the Donald Robinson Library Lectures will examine the lives of key figures in the Clapham Sect, their interest in the new colony and its social and spiritual development, and the evangelical legacy of Richard Johnson. Join us on Saturday 30 August 2025 for a day of fascinating historical talks delivered by Stuart Piggin, Mark Thompson, Michael Gladwin, Ruth Lukabyo, Nicole Starling, Colin Bale, Ed Loane and Susan An.
Program
9:30-10 – Tea/coffee & registration
10-10:30 – Stuart Piggin – Introduction
10:30-11 – Mark Thomson – Richard Johnson
11-11:30 – Morning tea (Knox common room)
11:30-12 – Michael Gladwin – John Newton
12-12:30 – Ruth Lukabyo – The Clapham Sect and Education
12:30-1 – Nicole Starling – The Thornton Family
1-2 – Lunch (dining room)
2-2:30 – Colin Bale – Henry Venn
2:30-3 – Ed Loane – James Stephen
3-3:30 – Susan An – Hannah More
Tickets
In-person tickets (includes morning tea and lunch):
Single ticket: $60
Bring a friend ticket: $50 (available when booking for more than one person)
Note: Registration to attend in person closes at midday on Wednesday 27 August.
Online tickets:
Livestream: $20
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