Radical Roots Thomas Fyshe Palmer

Thomas Fyshe Palmer – radical Unitarian preacher in Scotland who was imprisoned for his political beliefs and transported to Botany Bay, Australia, as one of the four “Scottish Martyrs”, never to return.

Born in Bedfordshire in 1747 into a wealthy family, Thomas was educated at Eton and Cambridge and was destined for a life in the Church of England. However, he was converted to Unitarianism by the writings of Joseph Priestley, left the Church and moved to Scotland, helping to plant Unitarian congregations there, especially Dundee Unitarians.

Thomas became involved in radical politics, campaigning for reforms to bring democracy, liberty and freedom to British society. In 1793, fearful because of the French Revolution, the authorities arrested him, put him on trial, and had him transported to Botany Bay, Australia, causing a public outcry.

He died in 1802 on the Pacific island of Guam as a Spanish prisoner of war, as he tried to return home to Britain. His body was later taken to Boston, USA. A large monument to Thomas and the other Scottish martyrs stands in Edinburgh today.

Find out more about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Fyshe_Palmer