Launch of the Register of British Slave Traders Database

Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026
Time: 1.30–3.00 pm
Venue: Lancaster University Library, The Combined Event Spaces
Format: In person and online
Tickets: In-person tickets | Online tickets

How did Atlantic slavery shape Lancashire and Britain? Join Professor Will Pettigrew and Dr Nick Radburn for the launch of the Register of British Slave Traders Database, chaired by Dr Sunita Abraham.

Since 2021, Will Pettigrew and Nick Radburn have led a major research project at Lancaster University, working with colleagues from UCL and the University of Manchester to investigate Britain’s slave-trading networks. The project has now culminated in an accessible database bringing together new research and historical data.

At this public lecture, Nick Radburn will explore how Atlantic slavery shaped Lancashire, presenting findings that challenge previous understandings of the county’s historical relationship with the slave trade. Will Pettigrew will discuss what the database reveals about Britain as a whole, tracing the wealth generated by slave traders into organisations across the country.

Join the discussion to discover how this research is reshaping our understanding of British history and the enduring legacies of Atlantic slavery.

Book your place: Attend in person at Lancaster University Library or join online using the ticket links above.