City of London Members Linked to Slave Trade

A new report published by the City of London Corporation has detailed the extent of involvement of its past elected members in the transatlantic slave trade. The research, commissioned by the Corporation and led by Professor William Pettigrew, examined the period between 1640 and 1807.

Findings on Member Involvement

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Professor Pettigrew's research identified that 41 out of 176 Lord Mayors of London during this period had links to the traffic in enslaved African people. Among senior councillors, 129 of 830 Aldermen were found to be involved. Within the City Corporation’s primary decision-making body, the Court of Common Council, 193 of 3,975 members had connections to the trade.

These identified members are associated with more than 950 voyages. These voyages transported approximately 250,000 enslaved African people across the Atlantic. The report estimates that around 37,000 individuals died during these crossings, as stated by the City of London Corporation.

Institutional Links Assessed

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Crucially, the research found no evidence that the City Corporation as an institution directly invested in the slave trade or received direct financial benefit from it. This distinction was highlighted by Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the City Corporation, who stated that while the institution itself did not benefit, a significant number of elected members were involved.

We cannot change the past, but we have a responsibility to acknowledge it, learn from it, and ensure it informs how we move forward as an organisation.

Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman, City of London Corporation

Professor Pettigrew's report, commissioned in December 2024, draws on research from The London Archives and the newly launched Register of British Slave Traders. This initiative follows the City Corporation's earlier project, Revealing the City’s Past, which aimed to reinterpret statues at Guildhall associated with figures linked to the slave trade.

Next Steps for the Corporation

Members of the City Corporation will now consider the findings of Professor Pettigrew's report and will deliberate on the Corporation's official response. The full report is available on the City of London Corporation's website.