John Gabriel Stedman

Date of Birth: December 4, 1744

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: March 7, 1797

Biography

John Gabriel Stedman was a British-Dutch soldier and writer, best known for his detailed account of his experiences during a military expedition in Suriname. Born on December 4, 1744, in the Netherlands to a Scottish father and a Dutch mother, Stedman led a life marked by adventure and profound observation. In 1772, he joined the Scots Brigade, a unit of the Dutch army, and was sent to Suriname to help suppress a rebellion of enslaved Africans. His five-year stay in Suriname resulted in his seminal work, “Narrative of a Five Years Expedition against the Revolted Negroes of Surinam,” published in 1796. This work offered a vivid portrayal of the brutal realities of colonialism and slavery, as well as Stedman’s own complex feelings about these issues. He passed away on March 7, 1797, in Tiverton, Devon, England.

5 Interesting Facts about John Gabriel Stedman

1. Stedman’s “Narrative of a Five Years Expedition against the Revolted Negroes of Surinam” became an important document for the abolitionist movement.

2. He had a romantic relationship with an enslaved woman named Joanna, with whom he had a son named Johnny.

3. His writings were illustrated by the famous artist William Blake.

4. Stedman served as a captain in the Scots Brigade.

5. Despite his critical view of slavery, Stedman was a product of his time and harbored complex and sometimes contradictory views on race and colonialism.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Gabriel Stedman

1. “I had rather face a lion in the wilds of Africa, than a man who, by habit, is rendered callous to the feelings of humanity.”

2. “Not to be born, or, being born, to die, is the best condition for man.”

3. “The poor negroes suffer inexpressible misery, and groan beneath a load of grievances…”

4. “I felt a mixture of compassion for these poor creatures, and indignation at the inhumanity of their persecutors.”

5. “In the midst of my own suffering, I could not help but think of the plight of those more unfortunate than myself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

John Gabriel Stedman’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but as a captain in the Scots Brigade and a published author, he would have been considered moderately well-off for his time.