THE University of Strathclyde has revealed the connections of its 18th-century antecedent institution to the profits of slavery in a new report.
The investigation found that, between 1812 and 1840, four presidents of its predecessor’s governing body had been members of a group that argued in favour of slavery.
It also found that the institution was gifted monies probably derived from the profits of slavery. It was unable to establish an exact sum, but donations from slavery-derived income are believed to have constituted a small but important part of the nascent institution’s finances.
The report was instigated by Strathclyde University’s principal and vicechancellor, Professor Sir Jim McDonald. It is published as the institution marks Black History Month with a series of events.
Strathclyde was created in 1964 through the award of a royal charter to the Royal College of Science and Technology, but it traces its origins to the foundation of Anderson’s Institution in 1796. This was the result of a bequest by Professor John Anderson (1726-96), who wished to create “a place of useful learning” in the city following his departure from the University of Glasgow.
However, Anderson left insufficient funds for the new institution and the 81 trustees named in his will were left to raise the money for it. The report found that some of these funds came from the city’s merchants, much of whose wealth derived from the profits of businesses involving enslaved people in the Americas.
The research, carried out by historian Professor Richard Finlay from Strathclyde’s humanities department, identifies individuals in the university’s past with links to slavery who donated money or played a significant role in the institution’s governance.
These include four past presidents who were members of the Glasgow West India Association, a group that lobbied in favour of slavery before the Slavery Abolition Act 1833. Several other presidents and trustees had indirect links with the slave trade through their professions, business activities, relatives or associates.
While there is no evidence that the management of Anderson’s Institution promoted pro-slavery sentiments neither did it promote anti-slavery petitions. However, the report found circumstantial evidence to make the case that Anderson would likely have been in favour of the abolition of the slave trade by the 1790s, based on his religious views, subscriptions to antislavery publications and associations with those in favour of abolishment.
Report author Finlay said: “Anderson’s Institution was founded in a city that was still sucking in the profits from slavery.
“Given the omnipresent nature of the engagement with the slaving economies of the Americas in Glaswegian society in the late 18th and early 19th centuries … many of the hundreds of individuals who served as trustees of the institution will have had some kind of casual acquaintance with or participation in business connected to slavery.”
In response to the findings of the report, the university said it is strengthening its continued commitment to advancing race equality for students and staff, and will maintain and expand its investment in work which furthers racial equality and raises awareness of the legacy of slavery in the city of Glasgow.
McDonald said: “This important report has revealed that in our early history, our antecedent institution was a beneficiary of money that was derived from business profits involving slavery, and that some of its governors, trustees and donors were enablers, supporters and profiteers of slavery.
“It is only right that we acknowledge this uncomfortable truth and recognise and accept that much of our city’s, and our nation’s, history and prosperity has been built through the exploitation of other peoples and this is deeply regrettable.
“We should use this knowledge of our own history to inform our actions and tackle injustice today.”
Between 2020-22 the university’s Race Equality Working Group held a number of engagement sessions with BAME staff and students, which has led to race equality work being prioritised within the university.
In response to the report, the university will continue to invest in work which furthers racial equality and which raises awareness of the legacy of slavery in the city of Glasgow.
Eva Curran, president of Strathclyde’s student union, said: “The impacts of colonialism continue to reverberate through generations. By discussing the failings of the past, we can create a better future.
“The student executive team and I look forward to continuing our partnership with the university, keeping Black students and the wider student community engaged in our work.”
