English
slaver and hymnist remembered for his repentant
hymn,
Amazing Grace.
He was born in 1724 and pressed into service of the
English Navy. He was a slave, and slaver. Aboard a slaving ship, during a storm in 1748, he was converted to
Christianity. Newton famously wondered about a god who would
...save a wretch like me
Despite conversion, he continued as a slaver for many years. Later he left the slave trade and (1764-1780) wrote many hymns, including
Amazing Grace.