More than 1,000 women invested in companies at the heart of Britain's slave trade, according to new research that challenges the conventional notion that women were passive beneficiaries of the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans. The study reveals that women actively bought, sold, and brokered shares in the Royal African Company (RAC), the South Sea Company, and other ventures, using profits to secure financial independence.
Women's Active Role in Financing Slavery
Researchers found that women were involved "at almost every level" of the slave trade. They acted as brokers, supplied goods such as barrels and swords traded on the Atlantic African coast, managed company property, and used their familial and social networks to facilitate investments. By the time the RAC, which trafficked about 150,000 enslaved people, was dissolved in 1752, women made up about 10% of shareholders.
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The Register of British Slave Traders, revealed exclusively in the Guardian, shows that women from across society played an active role in financing and sustaining the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans. Investors ranged from queens and princesses to titled nobility, merchants, shopkeepers, and even cowherds.
Profits and Financial Independence
Archives include letters in which women discuss profits from "African stock," while company records show one investor, Helen Gladman, asking the RAC to transport a young African girl from Sherbro Island, off Sierra Leone, to England to serve in her household. The research indicates that women used profits from the trafficking of enslaved Africans to secure financial independence and provide for their families.
Data on Women's Shareholding
The following table summarizes key data on women's involvement in the Royal African Company and other slave-trading ventures:
| Company | Women Shareholders (%) | Time Period | Notable Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal African Company | 10% | Until 1752 | Shareholders, brokers, suppliers |
| South Sea Company | Significant minority | 18th century | Investors, property managers |
| Other ventures | Varied | 17th-18th centuries | Financiers, network facilitators |
Key Takeaways
- Over 1,000 women invested in slave-trading companies, contradicting the idea of passive female involvement.
- Women from diverse social backgrounds, including queens and shopkeepers, participated actively.
- Profits from slavery helped women achieve financial independence and support their families.
- Women's roles extended beyond investment to brokering, supplying goods, and managing property.
FAQ
How many women invested in the slave trade?
More than 1,000 women invested in companies at the heart of Britain's slave trade, according to new research.
The research identified over 1,000 women who bought, sold, or brokered shares in the Royal African Company, South Sea Company, and other ventures.
What roles did women play in the slave trade?
Women were involved at almost every level, acting as brokers, suppliers, and managers.
They bought and sold shares, supplied goods like barrels and swords, managed company property, and used social networks to facilitate the trade.
Did women profit from the slave trade?
Yes, women used profits from the trafficking of enslaved Africans to secure financial independence.
Archives show women discussing profits from "African stock" and using them to provide for their families.
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