The Odyssey of John Newton: From Sailor to Slave, and Back to Grace
John Newton (1725–1807) lived a life of such dramatic extremes—from a profane, rebellious sailor to a revered clergyman and abolitionist—that it forms one of history’s most compelling narratives of spiritual transformation. His personal story is a testament to the power of a long-delayed, radical change of heart.
The Wild Youth and the Fall
Born in London, Newton was the son of a stern merchant ship captain. After his devout mother died when he was young, he was sent to sea at age 11, quickly abandoning the Christian principles she had instilled in him. He descended into a life of recklessness and notoriety, becoming known among sailors for his profanity and moral debauchery.
His downward spiral intensified when, as a young man, he was press-ganged into the British Royal Navy. His defiance and attempted desertion led to him being publicly flogged and disgraced. This act stripped him of his rank and freedom, leading to his transfer to the crew of a vessel involved in the African slave trade in 1745.
Captivity on the African Coast
His involvement in the slave trade took a harrowing turn when he found work for a slave dealer on the coast of present-day Sierra Leone. Cut off from European society and falling desperately ill, Newton found himself in a state of brutal servitude under the dealer and his African mistress.
For over a year (c. 1745–1748), he was subjected to terrible mistreatment, including starvation and physical abuse. He was forced into grueling labor and suffered profound degradation, often living in a condition barely distinguishable from that of the enslaved people he was intended to transport. Newton would later refer to this period as the time when he was a “wretch”—a state of utter moral and physical despair.
The Storm and the Turn
In 1748, Newton was rescued and began the voyage back to England aboard the ship Greyhound. It was on this journey that he faced a fierce storm that threatened to sink the vessel. Aboard the waterlogged ship, in the face of certain death, Newton cried out in desperation to God, marking the initial moment of his spiritual awakening.
Though he did not immediately abandon the slave trade—even returning to captain his own slaving vessels for a few more years—the event marked what he called his “Great Deliverance”. The seeds of deep-seated Christian faith were planted, slowly growing to conflict with his abhorrent profession.
The Minister and the Reformer
Due to failing health, Newton left the sea in 1754. He dedicated himself to studying theology and was eventually ordained as an Anglican clergyman in 1764. He became the curate of Olney, England, where he was known for his dedication to his poor parishioners.
In his later years, Newton became a fierce and pivotal advocate for the abolition of slavery. He partnered closely with the great parliamentarian William Wilberforce, offering crucial eyewitness testimony and repentance for his former trade. He wrote the influential pamphlet, Thoughts Upon the African Slave Trade (1788), detailing the atrocities he had witnessed and committed.
The Poetic Confession
It was this remarkable, lifelong journey—from a rebellious sinner and enslaver to an abolitionist minister—that found its perfect expression in his most enduring work.
In 1772, John Newton wrote the lyrics for the hymn that would become a global anthem, perfectly summarizing the decades-long process of his salvation:
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.