The University of Edinburgh has identified several historical figures linked to its past, including a celebrated philosopher and a wealthy doctor, as part of an inquiry into the institution's connections to slavery and colonialism. The review may lead to renaming buildings and repurposing prizes and events associated with these individuals.
Among those named is Dugald Stewart, an 18th-century moral philosopher who taught that black Africans were inferior to Europeans, despite opposing slavery. His lectures influenced many future leaders and race scientists. The university is considering renaming the Dugald Stewart building, a modern campus structure opened in 2008, as a test case for its new renaming policy.
Dr. John Gunning, a former Edinburgh medical student who became wealthy in Brazil, is another figure under scrutiny. He is believed to have held enslaved people on his estate and invested in colonial enterprises. His donations funded several prestigious prizes and lectures at Edinburgh, including the Gunning Victoria Jubilee prizes. The review recommends repurposing £5.4 million derived from his gifts to support anti-racist projects.
George Combe, a prominent advocate of phrenology, also features in the inquiry. His skull collection, now held by the university, and his writings promoted racist science. The Combe Trust, established from his estate, funds a visiting fellowship and a professorship in psychology. The review highlights the need to address these legacies.
Margaret Stuart Tyndall Bruce, an heiress of Indian and Scottish descent, established prizes for top students in logic and metaphysics. Her father served in the Bengal artillery. The university's review is examining the broader impact of such endowments.
