University of Bristol considers renaming seven buildings
They all have links to the slave trade
Last updated 22nd Nov 2022
The University of Bristol is considering renaming several of its buildings that have links to the slave trade.
The Uni has launched a consultation this morning (November 22) regarding seven different sites, including the Wills Memorial Building, HH Wills Physics Laboratories, Dame Monica Wills Chapel and Wills Hall.
They are all considered controversial because the Wills family donated money to help found the university in 1909, but their wealth originated from tobacco produced on slave plantations in the USA.
The other sites being considered for a name change are
- Fry Building
- Merchant Venturers Building
- Goldney Hall
It follows a two-year research project by Professor Olivette Otele, the university's first Professor of the History of Slavery, who confirmed the university’s founding was financially supported and made possible by individuals whose families had directly or indirectly profited from the products of the slave trade.
The university says it also follows feedback "from some staff and students" who feel the building's names and the university's logo should be changed "to better reflect a modern-day institution in a diverse and forward-thinking city".
The logo is considered controversial because it features the symbols of the Colston, Wills and Fry families, which all made money in the slave trade.
Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President, said: “It is important to understand the University of Bristol’s foundation and the relationship of our early supporters with global commodities such as sugar and tobacco which relied on the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
"In publishing this report, we are opening an important exercise in listening to the views of our communities, acknowledging that its findings will be painful and difficult for many within the university, our city and beyond.
"It throws light on the complexity of our past where members of our founding families could be prominent abolitionists and, at the same time, benefit financially from slavery and forced labour.
"Whatever the outcome of the consultation, our job is to reflect on how racial inequalities impact on our communities today and put in place the effective actions that are needed to do to be a truly inclusive 21st century institution.”
Saranya Thambirajah, Equality, Liberation and Access Officer at Bristol Students’ Union, said: “I welcome this consultation from the university and look forward to engaging with relevant student groups, staff and the wider community on this issue to bring about constructive dialogue and find a way forward that makes us all proud to be part of this city.
"Our history does not mean we cannot be bold in the beliefs and values we take into the future and uniting to talk about important and sensitive topics such as this is what truly drives change.”
You can access the consultation here.