History of Leith, Edinburgh

It Didn’t Happen Here – Edinburgh’s Links with the Trans – Atlantic Slave Trade

Two hundred years ago the House of Commons abolished the Trans-Atlantic slave trade – described at the time as “the detestable traffic in human flesh”. To mark the Bicentenary an exhibition is being held at the Museum of Edinburgh.

The exhibition which launches on Friday 13th July will illustrate how Edinburgh profited from the trade in human beings, and also recalls that many Edinburgh residents were actively involved in campaigning to end the trade.

Ahead of the launch Councillor Deidre Brock, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure said:”Many may not be aware that Edinburgh was involved in the slave trade. Our city has a long and fascinating history but when we look back we must not forget its role in this terrible trade and of course the part that Edinburgh played in abolition.

“This fascinating exhibition illustrates a dark period in human history and allows us to look back in time at the true misery that the slave trade inflicted.”

Edinburgh has many links with the slave trade ranging from the tobacco, rum and sugar that came in from Scottish owned plantations, to the Edinburgh residents who sailed to the West Indies in search of their fortunes. Slaves were even brought back and sold in the city. This advert appeared in the Edinburgh Advertiser on January 20th 1769:

‘TO BE DISPOSED OF – A HANDSOME BLACK BOY, about thirteen years of age, very well, qualified for making a household servant, serving a table well, & of a fine constitution, endured to the climate, and has had the small-pox. Any person inclining to purchase him, may call at Mr. William Reid’s, iron-monger opposite to the door of the city guard.’

A number of the objects in the exhibition relate to James Gillespie, the benefactor of the well-known Edinburgh school, who made his money selling Virginia tobacco from his shop in the High Street (Royal Mile) in the mid 18th Century.

Other exhibits include items made by Edinburgh silversmith, George Fenwick, when he was based in Tobago and coins made from West African gold minted in Edinburgh during the reign of William III, brought over on a ship owned by The Company of Scotland.

The exhibition will show that Edinburgh profited from the slave trade but was also actively involved in its abolition and the eventual emancipation of slaves in 1838. In 1788 the first Scottish petition to House of Commons against the slave trade came from the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

Media contact: Gareth Jones, Media & Communications Officer, Tel: 0131 529 4489.

E.mail: [email protected]

Notes to News Editors

1.The Exhibition will take place at The Museum of Edinburgh, Canongate, Royal Mile and will run from 13 July to 30 November 2007. The exhibition will be open 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday. (Also open 12 noon to 5pm on Sundays throughout August)

2.Admission is free.

3.The exhibition is supported by The National Lottery and the Heritage Lottery Fund.