Edward Colston

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

Related Topics:
2 November - 1636 - 11 October - 1721 - Bristol - English - Merchant - Philanthropist - Slaves

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He was born 2 November 1636 in Temple Street, Bristol, the eldest of at least eleven 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.

Related Topics:
2 November - 1636 - Bristol - William Colston - English Civil War - Winterbourne - Gloucestershire - London - Christ's Hospital

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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.

Related Topics:
Mercers Company - 1672 - London - Spain - Portugal - Italy - Africa - 1680 - Royal African Company - Britain - Gold - Ivory - 1662

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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.

Related Topics:
1682 - Society of Merchant Venturers - Burgess - 1684 - St. Kitts - Mortlake - Surrey - 1708

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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 an MP for Bristol in 1710 for just one parliament.

Related Topics:
Almshouse - St. Michaels Hill - Queen Elizabeth's Hospital - Colston's School - 1710 - Tory - MP

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He died 11 October 1721 at his home in Mortlake. His body was carried back to Bristol and was buried at All Saints Church.

Related Topics:
11 October - 1721

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