was an English evangelical Anglican cleric and slavery abolitionist. He had previously been a captain of slave ships and an investor in the slave trade. Newton served as a sailor in the Royal Navy(after forced recruitment) and was a servant for a time in West Africa. Newton is noted for being author of the hymns "Amazing Grace" and "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken".

Fun facts:

• Worked on slave ships
• Converted to Christianity and denounced the slave trade
• He tried to desert his crew and was flogged for it
• In the gospel music hall of fame