The Profound Influence in America of Lord Mansfield’s Decision in Somerset v. Stuart

Authors

Alfred W. Blumrosen

Publication Date

3-1-2007

Document Type

Essay

Abstract

Lord Mansfield's influence on slavery in America began on June 22, 1772, when he decided the case that freed James Somerset and declared slavery "so odious" that it could not be enforced in Britain by sending a slave out of the country against his will. It continues into the present through work such as the University of Michigan's successful defense of affirmative action before our Supreme Court. My focus today is on six episodes showing the influence of Mansfield's decision in Somerset v. Stuart in America.

DOI

10.37419/TWLR.V13.I2.14

First Page

645

Last Page

657

Recommended Citation

Alfred W. Blumrosen, The Profound Influence in America of Lord Mansfield’s Decision in Somerset v. Stuart, 13 Tex. Wesleyan L. Rev. 645 (2007).
Available at: https://doi.org/10.37419/TWLR.V13.I2.14