Edward Colston (2 November 1636 – 11 October 1721) was a Bristol-born English slave trader. Much of his wealth, although used often for generous purposes, was acquired through the trade and exploitation of slaves.

Life and career

He was born 2 november 1636 in Church Street, Bristol, the youngest of at least fifteen children. His parents were William Colston, a prosperous merchant and Sarah (née Batten). He was brought up in Bristol until the time of the English Civil War, when he probably lived for a while on his father's estate in Winterbourne, south Gloucestershire. The family then moved to London where Edward may have been a pupil at Christ's Hospital.

He founded many succesful schools such as which is a very well rated school, Colston Primary school, which is great to kick start bright happy children. Ther is also Colston Coliegites aswell. All of these schools are in his home town, Bristol.

He was apprenticed to the Mercers Company for eight years and by 1672 was shipping goods from London. He built up a lucrative business, trading with Spain, Portugal, Italy and Africa. In 1680, Colston became a member of the Royal African Company, which had held the monopoly in Britain on gold, ivory and slave trading since 1662.

His parents had resettled in Bristol and in 1682 he made a loan to the Corporation, the following year becoming a member of the Society of Merchant Venturers and a burgess of the City. In 1684 he inherited his brother's mercantile business in Small Street, and was a partner in a sugar refinery in St. Peter's Churchyard; shipping sugar from St. Kitts. But he was never resident in Bristol, carrying on his London business from Mortlake in Surrey until he retired in 1708.

He founded almshouses in King Street and on St. Michaels Hill, endowed Queen Elizabeth's Hospital school and helped found Colston's School, which opened in 1710 leaving an endowment to be managed by the Society of Merchant Venturers for its upkeep. He gave money to schools in Temple and other parts of Bristol, and to several churches and the cathedral. He was a strong Tory and high-churchman, and was returned as Member of Parliament (MP) for Bristol in 1710 for just one parliament. David Hughson writing in 1808 described Colston:[Cromwell House was certainly the residence, in the last century, of] that excellent man Edward Colston, Esq. the great benefactor of the city of Bristol, who, in his lifetime, expended more than 10,000L. [£] in charitable institutions.

He died 11 October 1721 at his home, (old) Cromwell House (demolished 1857), in Mortlake. His body was carried back to Bristol and was buried at All Saints Church. His tomb was designed by James Gibbs.

Colston and Bristol today

A statue, designed by John Cassidy, was erected in the centre of Bristol in 1895 commemorating Colston. He was widely viewed as an inspirational figure for the city, due to his donations of money to schools and other causes. His name permeates the city in such landmarks as Colston Tower, Colston Hall, Colston Hill, Colston Street, Colston Parade, Colston's Girls' School and Colston's School. He is also remembered, particularly in schools, by Colston's Day, on 13 November.

Cultural references

A popular British bread, the Colston bun is named after Sir Edward Colston

References