History of Edward Colston in Timeline

Edward Colston was a prominent figure in 17th and 18th century England. While he was a successful merchant, Member of Parliament, and philanthropist, his involvement in the transatlantic slave trade remains deeply controversial. Colston's legacy continues to be debated, with some recognizing his contributions while others condemn his role in the enslavement of Africans.

1920: Publication of Colston's Biography and Uncovering of Slave-Trading Activities

H.J. Wilkins published a biography of Edward Colston in 1920, which revealed Colston's involvement in the slave trade, a fact previously unknown or glossed over.

1920: H.J. Wilkins' Justification of Colston's Actions

In his 1920 biography of Colston, H.J. Wilkins argued that judging Colston's involvement in the slave trade should be done within the context of his time, when slavery was widely accepted in Europe.

2015: Dolphin Society Acknowledges Evils of Slavery

By 2015, the Dolphin Society, established to carry on Colston's philanthropic legacy, formally acknowledged the evils of slavery and recognized the disadvantages faced by black citizens in Bristol due to the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

2016

No events found for 2016.

April 2017: Colston Hall to Drop Colston Name

Following protests and boycotts, the Bristol Music Trust announced in April 2017 their decision to remove "Colston" from the name of the concert venue, "Colston Hall", when it reopened in 2020.

November 2017: Colston's Girls' School Decides Against Name Change (Initially)

In November 2017, Colston's Girls' School, funded by the Society of Merchant Venturers, decided against dropping "Colston" from its name, arguing it wouldn't benefit the school.

April 2018: Portrait Removed from Bristol's Lord Mayor Office

In April 2018, the Lord Mayor of Bristol made the decision to remove a portrait of Edward Colston from her office, expressing her discomfort with displaying it. The portrait is intended to be housed in the planned Museum of Abolition in Bristol.

July 2018: Proposal for a Second Plaque on Colston's Statue

In July 2018, Bristol City Council proposed adding a second plaque to Colston's statue, aiming to provide a more balanced account of his life, acknowledging his philanthropy alongside his involvement in the slave trade. However, the wording of the plaque faced significant public criticism and underwent multiple revisions.

2018: Colston Primary School Becomes Cotham Gardens Primary School

Following consultations with pupils and parents, Colston Primary School changed its name to Cotham Gardens Primary School in the summer of 2018.

2018

No events found for 2018.

February 2019: St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School Renames Colston House

In February 2019, St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School announced the renaming of its "Colston" school house after the renowned American mathematician, Katherine Johnson.

March 2019: Veto of the Second Plaque Installation

Despite the creation of a revised plaque, the Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, vetoed its installation in March 2019, criticizing the Society of Merchant Venturers for their role in the rewording process and deeming it unacceptable.

June 2020: Toppling of Colston's Statue and Response from Merchant Venturers

During the George Floyd protests on June 7, 2020, protesters toppled Colston's statue into Bristol Harbour. The Merchant Venturers subsequently acknowledged the removal as "right for Bristol" and admitted their involvement in the plaque rewording had been inappropriate.

June 2020: Protests and Removal of Colston's Statue

In June 2020, amidst protests supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, Edward Colston's statue in Bristol was toppled and pushed into the harbor due to his controversial involvement in the slave trade.

June 2020: Removal of Colston References

In June 2020, following the removal of Colston's statue, a stained-glass window dedicated to him at St Mary Redcliffe was removed. Additionally, the Bishop of Bristol announced the removal of prominent references to Colston from a window in Bristol Cathedral.

June 2020: Colston Arms Pub Temporarily Changes Name

The pub formerly known as the Colston Arms temporarily changed its name to "Ye Olde Pubby Mcdrunkface" in June 2020, referencing a public poll for a research vessel's name and inviting suggestions for a permanent change.

September 2020: Colston Hall Renamed Bristol Beacon

After three years of consultations, Colston Hall was renamed Bristol Beacon in September 2020, distancing the venue from Edward Colston.

2020: Dissolution of the Colston Society

After 275 years of commemorating Edward Colston, the Colston Society, which had evolved into a charity, decided to disband in 2020 following the growing disapproval of Colston's slave trade involvement.

2020: Colston's Girls' School Changes Name to Montpelier High School

After consultations with staff and students in 2020, Colston's Girls' School changed its name to Montpelier High School.

2020: Edward Colston Statue Toppled in Bristol

In a significant event in 2020, the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol was toppled during a protest. An organizer of the event emphasized that Colston's philanthropy did not absolve him of his role in the transatlantic slave trade, stating that his donations were "blood money."

June 2021: Display of Colston's Statue at M Shed Museum

On June 4, 2021, Bristol's M Shed museum displayed the damaged statue of Edward Colston, intending to initiate a conversation about the city's history and Colston's complex legacy.