John Newton

John Newton (1725-1807) was a slave trader whose famous conversion to Christianity is immortalized in the lyrics to Amazing Grace.

John Newton's conversion happened during a storm that nearly sank the slave ship he captained. He prayed at first, and later he read Thomas a Kempis' Imitation of Christ. This was the beginning of his conversion. Newton abandoned the slave-trade and became a minister. He spent the rest of his life preaching against slavery.

Newton helped William Wilberforce end slavery in England. Newton's tombstone reads:

"John Newton, Clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of

slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach

the faith he had long labored to destroy."