[Bbc] Elihu Yale: The cruel and greedy Yale benefactor who traded in Indian slaves

The article titled “Elihu Yale: The cruel and greedy slave trader who gave Yale its name” on BBC discusses the controversial history of Elihu Yale, the namesake of Yale University. Elihu Yale served as the governor-president of the British East India Company in Madras (present-day Chennai) in the 17th Century. He is now under scrutiny for his involvement in the Indian Ocean slave trade.

Yale University recently issued a formal apology for the links its early leaders and benefactors had with slavery. This followed a three-year investigation into the university’s history with slavery, including the role of slaves in the construction of a Yale building and the enrichment of prominent leaders who made gifts to Yale.

The investigation revealed that Elihu Yale profited significantly from slavery. He oversaw many sales, adjudications, and accountings of enslaved people for the East India Company. The Indian Ocean slave trade, which linked South East Asia with the Middle East and Africa, was extensive and lasted much longer than the Atlantic trade.

The article suggests that the investigation of this past is important, given that Yale is the third-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and has a number of US presidents and other eminent people among its alumni.

Source: Conversation with Bing
Elihu Yale: The cruel and greedy slave trader who gave Yale its name
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-68444807