Background
William Smeal was born in 1792.
William Smeal was born in 1792.
Smeal attended the week-long World Anti-Slavery conference in 1840.
William is credited with founding the Glasgow Emancipation Society in 1822. William is also noted as a tea merchant. The meeting had been organised by Joseph Sturge from Birmingham.
Smeal died in 1877.
His obituary recorded his interests in opposing injustice throughout his life. He opposed the corn laws, alcohol, stamp duties, capital punishment, war and slavery.
He has been considered a model of a Quaker"s contribution to public life.