Nottingham University accused of ‘reverse-engineering’ historical past in ‘bid to determine slavery hyperlinks’ by aristocratic household implicated in report
Nottingham University has been accused of ‘reverse engineering’ historic links to slavery by an aristocratic family after a report claimed they had profited off it.
The report claimed the 7th Duke of Portland, whose ancestors helped establish the university and who was one of its ‘most distinguished benefactors’, gained from ‘social capital’ of his slave-owning ancestor.
It comes almost 50 years after the duke’s death in 1977.
His family criticised the report and claimed it raises ‘troubling ethical implications of holding descendants accountable for the actions of their ancestors’, the Times reported.
The late duke William Arthur Henry Cavendish-Bentinck was born in 1893, almost 60 years after the abolition of slavery in Britain.
Relatives claim there is no evidence of any wealth inheritance from slavery in their branch of the family.
A source involved in the consultation for the report said: ‘The report appears to ‘reverse-engineer’ history in an attempt to establish ‘slavery links’ between a post-abolition university and post-abolition benefactors.’
The family, now led by William Parente, 73, the grandson of the 7th Duke, lost its Dukedom after the 9th Duke died in 1990 without a male heir.
The report claimed the 7th Duke of Portland (pictured), whose ancestors helped establish the university and who was one of its ‘most distinguished benefactors’, benefitted from ‘social capital’ of his slave-owning ancestor
The Portland Building at Nottingham University is named after the 7th Duke of Portland
They had been patrons of Nottingham University since it was founded in 1881.
The 7th Duke of Portland served in the First World War before becoming a Conservative MP, and then the Chancellor of the university from 1954 to 1971.
The Portland Building on campus is even named after him and now houses the students’ union and other departments.
But the report found that the first Duke of Portland – who was descended from the first Earl of Portland – was appointed the governor of Jamaica, where he owned dozens of slaves in the 1720s.
It stated this position led to the ‘accumulation and transference of financial, social and reputational capital to the following generations’ and that other colonial roles given to his heirs helped ‘preserve the dynasty’s status as a powerful elite ruling aristocratic family’.
The Duke is estimated to have earned at least £3.8million while Governor of Jamaica in today’s money.
Examining donations from 1875 to 1960, the report said up to 44 percent of private donations received were made by just eight patrons, all with historic links to the transatlantic slave trade.
Professor Katherine Linehan, pro vice-chancellor for people and culture, described the report as the ‘first step in acknowledging these historical links and will act as a catalyst to an open dialogue between the university and its black heritage community with respect to reparative justice.’
William Bentinck, the first Earl of Portland – his descendants became Dukes until 1990
The university has been accused of ‘reverse engineering’ history to create links to the slave trade
But a source said the family had attempted to engage meaningfully with the writers after receiving a draft copy in 2020.
They accused the university of ‘excluding’ view points and ‘sidelining truth’, saying: ‘From the university’s perspective, it may be reasonable — perhaps even necessary — to exclude differing viewpoints as part of efforts to redress historical imbalances.
‘However, this approach risks sidelining the essential principles of truth and open dialogue.’
In a statement, the family’s Welbeck estate said: ‘Slavery was an abhorrent crime against humanity, and examining historical links is essential to understanding and addressing its enduring legacy. The 1st Duke of Portland, who served as a governor of Jamaica in the early 18th century, owned enslaved people and other ancestors held colonial roles.
‘The University of Nottingham’s buildings were named after the 7th duke, who was born 60 years after abolition and had no personal involvement in slavery.
‘We understand the university’s decision to rename the Portland Buildings in Nottingham and China as part of its efforts to foster an inclusive environment for students. We welcome this renaming as a meaningful gesture reflecting the university community’s evolving values.’
The University of Nottingham said: “The report was commissioned by the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University to explore the role of Transatlantic slavery in the formation of the two institutions. This is in line with work being done across the sector to form a wider picture of the historic connections with UK higher education.
“The work has taken place over several years and a number of revisions were made in response to feedback received during the consultation exercise. We are unaware of anyone having been excluded from the consultation exercise or having been refused the opportunity to meet with university representatives to discuss the report.’
