London's Oldest Hospital Examines History of Donors Linked to Slave Trade
Quick Brief
London's oldest hospital, St Bartholomew's, contains commemorative boards in its Great Hall honoring historical benefactors and governors. Many of these donors drafted wills and managed philanthropic contributions while heavily investing in companies tied to the trafficking of enslaved Africans.
What Happened?
Inside the Great Hall of St Bartholomew's North Wing in London, commemorative boards painted in acrylic gold honor historic donors alongside portraits of King Henry VIII and the hospital's namesake apostle. These walls reflect a past where hospital governors weighed donations and wills while simultaneously investing in stock from companies built upon the trafficking of enslaved Africans.
Why It Matters
The revelation highlights how numerous foundational UK institutions were built or supported using wealth derived from the transatlantic slave trade, prompting broader examinations of historical philanthropy and public commemoration.
Key Facts
- St Bartholomew's is recognized as London's oldest hospital.
- The North Wing's Great Hall features extravagant commemorative boards painted in acrylic gold.
- Historical governors and donors drafted wills and philanthropic contributions inside the Great Hall.
- Many of these key benefactors held investments in companies built on the trafficking of enslaved Africans.
Compiled from 2 outlets
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