Detailed research into the City of London Corporation’s links with the transatlantic trade in enslaved African people has been commissioned by the organisation to shed light on its role in this deeply shameful chapter of its history.
The Square Mile’s governing body has announced the move, following today’s approval by its Policy and Resources Committee of £34,400 in funding.
The research will explore the involvement of Lord Mayors, Sheriffs, Aldermen, and Common Councillors who served between 1640 and 1807 along with their legacies and donations to the City Corporation in this period. This is the period during which the UK was active in the transatlantic trade in enslaved African people.
The research will also investigate any institutional investments by funds managed by the City Corporation into joint-stock trading companies active in the transatlantic trade in enslaved African people.
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The research will be carried out next year by historian and author, Professor William Pettigrew, who has led a related project run by the University of Lancaster, University of Manchester, and University College London.
Entitled ‘The Register of British Slave Traders’, this name-searchable database will show legacies, donations, and direct financial connections between individuals and institutions across the UK who benefitted from the slave trade. The Register is due to be published in 2026. Professor Pettigrew’s additional research as part of this new project will make use of publicly accessible materials from the City Corporation-owned The London Archives.
Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, said: “In line with our commitment to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion, this project will help us to better understand the City Corporation’s past, ensuring that we are transparent about our role in this shameful period of the UK’s history.”
Professor William Pettigrew said: “Like many well-established British institutions, the City of London Corporation has connections to the transatlantic trade in enslaved African people. This commissioned research will seek to define those connections. The City Corporation-commissioned research will include a report into the background history on the transatlantic trade in enslaved African people and the established connections between philanthropy and investment in slavery, with a particular focus on the City. It will complement a related study commissioned by the City Bridge Foundation.
The City Corporation will explore how to share and communicate the findings through Communications and community engagement activities on completion of the research.
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