Paul Cuffe: navigator, businessman, abolitionist

About the author:

Andrey A. Shumakov, Cand. Sci. (Hist.), Associate Professor, Department of Humanities, Tula Branch of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics; takamori@rambler.ru

Abstract:

This article is the first in Russian historiography to provide a detailed biography of the legendary African American abolitionist and entrepreneur, Paul Cuffe. He is often referred to as the pioneer of the “Back-to-Africa” movement and a founder of the black nationalism ideological and political trend. Cuffe’s success story and public activism have inspired generations of fighters for black rights in the United States, making him one of the most revered figures in African American history. Two centuries after his untimely death, interest in Cuffe continues to grow, as evidenced by the increasing number of publications on this subject. The purpose of this work is to review Paul Cuffe’s biography using reports, letters, works, and materials from periodicals, as well as research materials from leading Western experts. The study aims to consider the early period of Cuffe’s life and his entrepreneurial and social activities. Historical-descriptive and comparative-historical methods are used to draw parallels with similar historical figures like Prince Hall. The author concludes that Cuffe’s entrepreneurial activity was closely linked to his social work. He saw the repatriation project as a promising economic venture, as evidenced by his long and systematic fundraising efforts. Cuffe’s views were influenced by the development of free trade in the late 18th and early 19th c. Regarding Cuffe’s representation as a founder of black nationalism and Pan-Africanism, the author does not find direct confirmation of this point of view during their research.

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