Statement from Gladstone's Library regarding the Gladstone Family Guyana Apology

Today, you may see Gladstone's Library featured on the news as a backdrop to coverage of a statement made by the Gladstone Family. Charlie Gladstone, who serves as the President of Trustees to Gladstone's Library on a voluntary basis, is set to publicly apologise for the family's involvement in the slave trade in the 1800s. You can read more about that here: William Gladstone Family of Former PM to Apologise for Links to Slavery.

As an independent charity, we are not part of the Gladstone Estate and cannot speak for the family. However, as an organisation committed both to shedding light on the past and ensuring a more equitable future for all, we welcome the family's efforts to address this history publicly. 

The Library itself does not seek to shy away from the impacts of colonialism and enslavement. We welcome researchers looking to use our archives and materials to further productive conversations on these themes. In addition, we are now open to applications for our scholarships. Several of these focus on research into enslavement, colonialism and themes of anti-racism: you can find the details on this link. Please share these with anyone you feel might benefit from these.

As always, we thank you for your continued support and faith in our institution as a place for nuanced discussion of difficult and urgent topics.