Toussaint L'Ouverture tea towel

£14.00
100% Organic Cotton
Made in the UK
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  • Sturdy half panama unbleached US cotton (48cm x 70cm)
  • Our special inks mean that colours last in the wash
  • Includes hanging loop
  • Designed and manufactured in the UK
  • Delivery with Royal Mail, free on orders over £35
  • 100-day money back guarantee if you change your mind

Toussaint L'Ouverture (also known as Toussaint Louverture) was born a slave on the French colony of Saint-Domingue, now known as Haiti, becoming a free man and a Jacobin. His military career began when he led the 1791 Haitian rebellion, the largest slave rebellion in history. Throughout his years in power, he worked to improve the economy and security of Saint-Domingue. restored the plantation system using paid labour, negotiated trade agreements with the UK and US and maintained a large and well-trained army. He promulgated an autonomous constitution for the colony in 1801, which named him Governor-General for life. In 1802, he was arrested by the French, deported to France and jailed at the Fort de Joux where he died.  

In his poem 'To Toussaint L’Ouverture' William Wordsworth makes a hero of him as the most prominent of the Haitian revolutionaries, to the extent that his poem can be seen as an elegy to a dying man. Wordsworth first published the poem in 'The Morning Post' on February 2, 1803, probably having read the news that Toussaint had been imprisoned in the Fort de Joux since June, 1802. Toussaint died two months after the poem first appeared.

The image on this tea towel is by Manus McGrogan.

Half Panama unbleached cotton (heavy weight, textured finish). Stitched on all four sides. Includes hanging loop. Measures approximately 48 x 70cm. Machine wash at 40 degrees max. We recommend that before you use your tea towel for the first time you wash it at least once to soften up the material and make it more absorbent for drying dishes. Please note size can vary slightly.