Unveiling the University of Edinburgh's Historical Ties to Slavery
A new review reveals that the University of Edinburgh financially benefited from transatlantic slavery. The university held historic endowments linked to slavery and colonialism, and served as a center for racist theories in the 18th and 19th centuries. The review suggests initiatives to address racial disparities and promote anti-racism.
The University of Edinburgh has come under scrutiny following a recent review highlighting its financial ties to transatlantic slavery. Published on Sunday, the review reveals that the university profited through donations from industries connected to enslavement, including tobacco, sugar, and cotton.
The review places Edinburgh alongside other UK universities such as Glasgow, Bristol, and Cambridge, which have also acknowledged their historical affiliations with slavery. Edinburgh, founded in 1583, has numerous historic endowments connected to African enslavement and British colonialism, some of which are still active today.
University principal, Peter Mathieson, emphasized the importance of addressing the university's complex past. Recommendations include establishing a research center on racism and addressing under-representation among faculty and students. The review adds to ongoing conversations about reparations and institutional responsibility for historical injustices.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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