This is a past event
A talk by Matthew Lee on the philanthropic legacies of enslavement in Aberdeen and North East Scotland with an introduction by NHS Grampian Archivist, Fiona Musk.
There are myriad legacies of enslavement in Aberdeen and the wider North East region. Street names in Aberdeen hint at the city’s historical connections to the Caribbean. The Powis Gateway on the University of Aberdeen’s campus is a tangible example of how wealth associated with enslavement in the Caribbean impacted the built environment. Other legacies are not so evident. This talk will examine the financial and institutional links between philanthropy in North East Scotland and wealth accumulated in the Caribbean.
Using documents in NHS Grampian’s archives, which are located within the University’s Special Collections, the talk will explore the extent of the financial ties between Aberdeen Infirmary and money derived from slavery. It will also offer case studies of the Aberdeen-trained medics who went to the Caribbean and sent money home to fund the infirmary. The talk will conclude by providing other examples of philanthropic institutions in the North East that link this part of Scotland to the proceeds of enslavement in the Caribbean.
Matthew Lee's PhD research focussed on Scottish writers who visited the Caribbean and wrote about their attitudes towards slavery. Further Reading
Fiona Musk became NHS Grampian's archivist in 2015, having previously worked at Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Archives for ten years.
On the Day:
- This event is open to all. Students, staff, and visitors to the University are welcome to come along.
- Please go to the Welcome Desk on the ground floor of the Sir Duncan Rice Library where a member of staff will have an attendee list and will provide directions.
- Please note that parking at the Library is limited to staff and students of the University during the day. Meter parking is available on Bedford Road.
Legacies of Slavery: Transatlantic Slavery and Aberdeen
This event is part of a programme of talks, workshops and discussions accompanying the 'Legacies of Slavery' exhibition.
The exhibition will be on display in the Library Gallery until 2 December 2023.
The content and images of the exhibits can also be viewed online.
- Hosted by
- University of Aberdeen Museums & Special Collections
- Venue
- The Sir Duncan Rice Library, Lower Ground Floor Seminar Room
- Contact
-
For further details/enquiries email events.uoacollections@abdn.ac.uk
Book to reserve a place: