University to ‘decolonise’ after founders’ slave link

A Scottish university will “decolonise” its curriculum after admitting its founders benefited financially by selling clothes worn by slaves.

The University of Dundee revealed that the family fortune of its founder, Mary Ann Baxter, was derived from a textile business which sold goods to “transatlantic markets” including “clothing worn by enslaved people”.

Ms Baxter and her cousin founded University College Dundee in 1881 by making a £140,000 donation, equivalent to £14.4 million today.

The report also criticised missionary work funded by Ms Baxter, who died in 1884, in central Africa, India, China and New Guinea.