BBC News
By Jessica Black
image captionMary Ann McCracken wrote of collecting for charities into her 10th decade
Anti-slavery activist Mary Ann McCracken went door-to-door collecting for charity into her 10th decade, a cache of previously unpublished letters has revealed.
The 19th Century abolitionist is often said to have pamphleteered at Belfast docks into her 89th year.
But records show her to have been collecting for Belfast s poor and campaigning for the anti-slavery cause for several years more.
Northern Ireland-born researcher Dr Cathryn McWilliams has catalogued six-and-a-half decades of Mary Ann McCracken s correspondence.
Recently there has been a renewed push to bring the abolitionist out of her beloved brother s shadow, with the launch of a foundation in her name.
Events to be held to mark 250 years since birth of social reformer Mary Ann McCracken irishnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from irishnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Anne Hailes: We need women like Mary Ann McCracken as much as ever today Bafta-winning historian, writer and broadcaster Professor David Olusoga was keynote speaker at the recent launch in Belfast of the Mary Ann McCracken Foundation 08 February, 2021 01:00
Mary Ann McCracken, anti-slavery campaigner, social reformer, member of the Belfast Charitable Society and sister of United Irishman Henry Joy McCracken
TV HISTORIAN Professor David Olusoga is concerned that we are loosing a lot of modern historical information thanks to social media. Why? Because in our digital age we tend to dash off tweets or snapchats which dissolve into the ether and sometimes unique information is lost.
BBC News
By Jessica Black
image copyrightNational Museums Northern Ireland
image captionMary Ann McCracken was a familiar figure at Belfast docks where she warned emigrants about slavery in America
Mary Ann McCracken campaigned against slavery at Belfast docks until she was almost 90 years-old.
The abolitionist, better known as United Irishman Henry Joy s favourite sister, would warn emigrants headed to America about the slave trade there.
A foundation established in her name aims to celebrate her as a campaigner, separate from her brother.
The Mary Ann McCracken Foundation was launched by the Belfast Charitable Society this week.
It will also link her legacy to current issues.