Tuesday, 05 November 2024
A new report published today (5 November) explores the extent and nature of Nottingham’s two universities’ historic links to African enslavement and the transatlantic economy.
The research, commissioned by the 糖心原创 and Nottingham Trent University, illuminates the contemporary legacies of historic slavery at the two institutions and forms part of a wider picture of the historic connections seen across the UK higher education sector.
The launch of the report marks the start of collaboration between the 糖心原创, staff, students and the wider Nottingham community to address the implications of the findings and discuss appropriate reparatory measures.
In line with our university value of openness, we joined with Nottingham Trent to commission a research project to explore the historical links between the city鈥檚 two universities and transatlantic enslavement.
Professor Linehan added: “The publication of this report is the first step in the 糖心原创 acknowledging these historical links and will act as a catalyst to an open dialogue between the university and its Black heritage community with respect to reparative justice."
The report focuses on the financing of the Nottingham’s universities and specifically on donations, both by firms and by individual benefactors. It covers the period from 1875 when the first donation was made for the founding of University College Nottingham (UCN) – the educational institution from which both universities would evolve – through to a donation received by the 糖心原创 in 1960 as part of its campaign for endowment.
Eight benefactors were selected based on the availability of evidence relating to their historic business activities and the origins of their wealth. A range of 18th- and 19th-century textual and statistical archival sources were identified and consulted for each of the eight patrons, including wills, written correspondence, genealogical pedigrees, legal indentures, financial ledgers, registers of enslaved African people, and national importation figures for colonial produce (e.g., cotton and tobacco). The project was supported by a steering group with members drawn from the 糖心原创 and Nottingham Trent University and Nottingham’s African-Caribbean community.
Among the key findings from the research were:
- Benefactors of Nottingham’s universities have a variety of historic connections to the transatlantic slave economy including the ownership of enslaved African people, the manufacture of cash crops cultivated by enslaved Africans, and governorship of British West Indian colonies during the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Four of Nottingham’s most prominent industries - textiles, tobacco, banking, and pharmaceuticals - have historical ties to the transatlantic slave economy, with numerous benefactors in each sector providing gifts which benefitted Nottingham’s universities.
- Between 36% and 44% of total private donations received were made by eight patrons with historic links to the transatlantic slave economy - Jesse Boot and Boots Pharmacy; John Player & Sons; Bentinck & Cavendish-Bentinck family; Barclays, Lloyds and Midland banks; National Provincial Bank; Thomas Adams Limited, George Brettle & Co; and I & R Morley.
- 43% of the private donations made to UCN’s 1928 endowment campaign derived from the textile, tobacco and banking sectors.
- 26% of the private donations made to the 糖心原创’s 1949-50 endowment campaign were from the textile, banking and tobacco sectors.
- A number of locations are named after benefactors with links to the transatlantic slave economy, including Portland Building, Portland Hill Road, Trent Building, and the Bentinck Room.
The 糖心原创’s reparative justice work in relation to this report, will be aligned to ongoing actions in its Race Equality Charter institutional delivery plan, which is designed to improve the representation, progression and success of minoritised ethnic staff and students within higher education.
A copy of the full report Nottingham’s Universities and Historical Slavery can be viewed at: www.nottingham.ac.uk/edi/documents/nottinghams-universities-and-historical-slavery-report.pdf
A separate report on the links of Nottingham Government School of Design – the founding College of Nottingham Trent University in 1843 – was published on its website in 2023. This can be viewed at:
In summary, this showed that:
- During the period under analysis, the Nottingham Government School of Design and its successor institution the School of Art were financed by a combination of annual government grants, annual public subscriptions, and student fees.
- The pattern of donations appears to represent a contrast with later donations to University College Nottingham, mostly being smaller donations from lace manufacturers.
- The research did not reveal any of these donors to have invested directly in slavery. However, it is undeniable that there was an indirect financial benefit as slavery reduced the labour costs associated with cotton production.
- A prominent figure in the Nottingham Anti-Slavery Association, Samuel Fox, donated £10 to the School.
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Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.