Study unveils university ties to transatlantic slave trade

By George Mathias

A report published by the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University has revealed both universities' historic ties to the transatlantic slave trade.

The report, published this week, reveals that between 1875 and 1960, approximately 36-44% of the total private donations received by both institutions came from eight major patrons linked to industries with roots in slavery.

Among these patrons are prominent names like Jesse Boot, the founder of Boots Pharmacy, John Player & Sons, the Bentinck and Cavendish-Bentinck families, and major banks such as Barclays, Lloyds, Midland, and National Provincial.

These benefactors’ legacies, including cultural, financial, and reputational assets, played a significant role in shaping the institutions' identities and growth, the landmark report found.

The report also recommended that both universities “formally acknowledge their connections to and benefits from the transatlantic slave economy with a public statement of recognition".

The report found the links between benefactors who donated to both universities to slavery was wide ranging, from owning enslaved individuals to managing colonies dependent on slave labor or producing and trading goods cultivated by enslaved Africans.

These contributions led to accumulated capital that was later transferred to Nottingham’s universities and played a central role in their development.

The report said:

“Reparatory justice is a key part of UoN and NTU’s acknowledgement, reconciliation and ongoing effort to heal the damaging legacies of slavery from which they benefitted.

“Within the context of transatlantic slavery and its legacies, reparatory justice seeks to address and repair (so far as possible) the harm and/or harms inflicted on enslaved African people and their enduring legacies on the lives of their descendants.”

It also concluded they should “organise an official public launch of the report and subsequent workshops, where its findings can be presented, discussed, and measures formulated that address the specific legacies of transatlantic slavery".

Notably, four of Nottingham’s main industries - textiles, tobacco, banking, and pharmaceuticals - are also shown in the report to have deep-seated historical connections to transatlantic slavery, with many patrons in these sectors contributing donations to both of Nottingham’s universities.

Additionally, the report identifies at least five buildings on university campuses whose names reflect benefactors associated with the slave economy, including the Portland Building, Trent Building, Bentinck Room, and the East Midlands Conference Centre, formerly known as the Jesse Boot Conference Centre.

A spokesperson from Boots said: “As founding benefactors of the University of Nottingham, Boots supported this important piece of research in the interests of transparency and openness.

“As part of this research, our past, alongside that of other institutions, has been carefully examined. We are committed to drawing lessons from our history, especially anything that is inconsistent with our present values. We stand against all discrimination and remain wholly dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture.”

Professor Katherine Linehan, the pro-vice-chancellor for people and culture at the University of Nottingham, said she hoped the report would “act as a catalyst to open dialogue … with respect to reparative justice”.