Alonso De Sandoval

About the Author

Alonso de Sandoval (1576–1652) was a Spanish Jesuit priest and scholar whose groundbreaking work on the moral and spiritual dimensions of slavery profoundly influenced early modern debates on human dignity and evangelization. Born in Spain, Sandoval joined the Society of Jesus and served as a missionary in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, where he witnessed the brutal realities of the transatlantic slave trade firsthand. His seminal text, Treatise on Slavery: Selections from De Instauranda Aethiopum Salute, originally published in 1627, advocates for the humane treatment and Christian conversion of enslaved Africans, challenging the prevailing justifications for exploitation while emphasizing the universal call to salvation. Sandoval's writings blend theological insight with practical guidance, reflecting his commitment to justice amid colonial oppression, and remain a vital resource for understanding the ethical tensions of the era.