Tribute to writer of hymn Amazing Grace unveiled at Liverpool’s Pier Head

Jul 10 2009 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

HE MAY not be a household name, but he wrote one of the most famous anthems of all time.

Now Liverpool has become the first place on this side of the Atlantic to unveil an artwork in tribute to John Newton, the former slave ship commander who went on to become an anti-slavery campaigner after a religious conversion, an event which inspired Amazing Grace.

The hymn was written in 1772 and is now said to be the most recorded song in the world, with more than 3,000 versions made in the USA alone.

The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, yesterday unveiled the installation in honour of Newton at Merseytravel’s new £10.5m Pier Head ferry terminal building.

After renouncing his past as a slave trader, Newton became Tide Surveyor of Liverpool and then an Anglican priest, joining forces with William Wilberforce to campaign for the abolition of the slave trade.

The unveiling of the artwork was preceded by a performance of Newton’s famous hymn by the Liverpool-based Sense of Sound choir, finalists in this year’s BBC Last Choir Standing competition.

Bishop James said: “For many years, ever since I came to Liverpool, I thought it was appropriate there should be a memorial to this extraordinary man, who wrote the universal anthem Amazing Grace.

“He was rescued from the degradation of the slave trade, from which he then endeavoured to rescue other people.

“The battle to abolish the slave trade was fought on the streets of this city.

“Liverpool led in the slave trade, but also led in its abolition.

“By unveiling this memorial to Newton’s universal anthem, we pledge to strive against the racism endemic not just to our society, but throughout the world.

“It would be great to say racism and slavery was something which vanished 200 years ago.