Tangled Roots: Navigating the Complex Legacy of Early Quakers By Stuart Masters

In the 2026 Swarthmore lecture, Stuart Masters explores the diverse mix of characteristics visible in the early Quaker movement that produced several creative tensions which subsequent generations have had to navigate. He argues that engaging with these issues can help Friends better appreciate the diversity present within the global Quaker family and enable them to discern how to respond to these dilemmas today. The lecture is accompanied by a book which is available from the Quaker Bookshop. You can find further information about the Swarthmore Lecture and information about follow up events at www.woodbrooke.org.uk/research/swarthmore-lectures/