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Dan Cruickshank

Tim Dunn

Mary Sackville-West

Helen Thomas

Kidnapped: A Georgian Adventure

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Factual: History

10/08/2011

BBC Four - Kidnapped: A Georgian Adventure

The story of James Annesley, whose fate inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's book Kidnapped.

The story of 12-year-old James Annesley, snatched from Dublin and sold into slavery in America in 1728, whose fate helped inspire Robert Louis Stevenson's book Kidnapped.

In 1728, 12-year-old James Annesley was snatched from the streets of Dublin and sold into slavery in America - the victim of a wicked uncle hell-bent on stealing his massive inheritance. Dan Cruickshank traces James's astonishing journey from the top table of 18th century society to its murky depths. The story, which helped inspire Robert Louis Stevenson's book Kidnapped, reveals some disturbing home truths that cast a shadow over the century of the Enlightenment.

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Kidnapped: A Georgian Adventure

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