Scientist and banker benefited from gold mined primarily by enslaved Africans in Brazil, book claims

Summary

A new book, Ricardo’s Dream by Nat Dyer, reveals that Sir Isaac Newton’s wealth was closely tied to the transatlantic slave trade during his tenure as master of the mint at the Bank of England.

Newton profited from gold mined by enslaved Africans in Brazil, much of which was converted into British currency under his oversight, earning him a fee for each coin minted.

While Newton’s scientific legacy remains untarnished, the book highlights his financial entanglement with slavery, a common thread among Britain’s banking and finance elites of the era.

  • TurboHarbinger@feddit.clEnglish
    1·
    30 days ago

    so should we also undermine Newton’s accomplishments because he also used slaves for trade?

    fucking idiotic cancel culture, bunch of hypocrites

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldMEnglish
      1·
      30 days ago

      I know it’s hard to read the article, but you could at least read OP’s summary:

      While Newton’s scientific legacy remains untarnished, the book highlights his financial entanglement with slavery, a common thread among Britain’s banking and finance elites of the era.

      By the way, you’re just wrong about why Columbus was brought back to Spain and imprisoned. For someone who is so concerned about historical reputations, you don’t really seem to care much about history.

      Or reading.