Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slave-ownership

The research upon which the Legacies database is based revealed that some 46,000 Britons received compensation, accounting for around 10% of all Britons and 15% of aristocrats.[4] Many notable people, including former Prime Minister David Cameron and Benedict Cumberbatch, are decedents of people who benefited from slavery.[5] Slavery has been found to have generated immense wealth. For example, the London business district known as the Isle of Dogs, arose from speculation in the slave trade.[6] Another example is New Town, Edinburgh.[7][8] The University of Glasgow launched an enquiry to understand the impact of slavery on the institution.[9] Many slaveholders and beneficiaries of slavery are recognised in the United Kingdom through public honours.[10] A number of business in existence in 2019 benefited from slavery.[11]

The Centre's work has been considered by scholars, including Catherine Hall, Humphrey McQueen and Clinton Fernandes, in relation to Australian colonial history. The Legacies database revealed numerous connections to slavery that had previously been overlooked or unknown. For example, the colony (now state) of South Australia may owe its existence to slavery finance, through George Fife Angas and Raikes Currie, who gave large sums of money without which the colony would not have been created in 1836.[12][13][14][15] This body of research generated media attention.[16][17][18] Another Australian state, Victoria, has been shown to have had many former slaveholders and beneficiaries of slavery in its history, a number of whom are recognised in public honours, including place-names and statuary.[12]

"We use buildings built by beneficiaries, drive down streets and past statues that honour them, visit places that they knew, recite their poetry, or live in states and towns that owe a great deal to their actions. Yet, the word slavery features on no plaque, street sign, encyclopaedia, or tourist map... The faint rattle of chains can be heard in many parts of the former British Empire, one need only pause to listen... [Because of the Legacies database] it can be said there is yet another scar on the gnarled face of Australian History," C. J. Coventry, 2019.[19]

The Australian Dictionary of Biography has been criticised for its failure to mention connections to slavery in the biographical entries of notable Australians. However, the ADB is currently undergoing a review that aims to address this - and other - deficiencies.[20]

Actor Ben Affleck apologised after WikiLeaks revealed he had attempted to stop a television show revealing his connection to slavery, which had arisen as a result of the Legacies database.[21]