London Hospital Funded by Slave Trade Donors: St Barts History 2026

St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, founded in 1123, has a long and complex history. Recent research reveals that many of its early benefactors were individuals who amassed wealth through the slave trade, directly linking the hospital's development to the profits of transatlantic slavery.

The Slave Trade's Role in Funding St Barts

The Register of British Slave Traders, a collaborative project between Lancaster University, the University of Manchester, and University College London, has identified at least 50 people with deep financial ties to St Bartholomew's Hospital who were also involved in the slave trade. These individuals invested in companies that trafficked enslaved Africans from the 16th to 19th centuries.

Inside the Great Hall of St Bartholomew's North Wing, commemorative boards display the names of these donors in acrylic gold paint. The hall was a space where governors discussed philanthropic donations and drafted wills, often while their wealth was tied to the enslavement of African people.

Key Findings from the Register

Professor William Pettigrew, who led the project, stated that the register has established connections with roughly 900 organisations, many of which aimed to improve the lives of ordinary Britons. The register provides biographical data on every known investor in Britain's transatlantic trafficking of enslaved African people.

• At least 50 donors to St Bartholomew's Hospital had direct links to the slave trade.
• The hospital's Great Hall commemorates these donors on ornate boards.
• The register links approximately 900 organisations to slave trade wealth.
• Many donations funded schools, hospitals, and charities across the UK.

Comparing Donor Contributions

The table below summarises the involvement of key donors to St Bartholomew's Hospital in the slave trade, based on data from the Register of British Slave Traders.

The Legacy of Slave Trade Wealth in Healthcare

The revelation that St Bartholomew's Hospital benefited from slave trade wealth is part of a broader pattern across British institutions. Many hospitals, schools, and charities were founded or expanded using profits from the enslavement of African people. This history has prompted calls for greater transparency and discussions about reparative justice.

Understanding these connections is crucial for acknowledging the full history of institutions like St Bartholomew's and addressing the enduring impact of slavery on modern society.

FAQ

What is the Register of British Slave Traders?

The Register of British Slave Traders is a database compiled by Lancaster University, the University of Manchester, and University College London. It contains biographical information on every known investor in Britain's transatlantic slave trade from the 16th to 19th centuries.

How many donors to St Bartholomew's Hospital were involved in the slave trade?

At least 50 individuals with deep financial ties to St Bartholomew's Hospital have been directly linked to the slave trade through the register.

Why is this history important today?

Acknowledging the slave trade's role in funding institutions like St Bartholomew's Hospital helps address historical injustices and informs current debates on reparations and institutional responsibility.