Alexander Bannerman

Aberdeen, Scotland, 1788 - 1864

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About MeAlexander Bannerman (1788-1865) was educated at Marischal College before becoming a partner in the Bannermill - the family's cotton mill in Aberdeen. It is probable that this mill bought raw cotton grown using enslaved people. He later joined the Town Council before being elected as a member of Parliament between 1842 and 1847, followed by appointments as Governor of Prince Edward Island, the Bahamas and finally Newfoundland.

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Re-framing the Collection

History and Legacy of Enslavement in Aberdeen

Alexander and his brother Thomas were both subscribing owners in the Aberdeen built ship Arkwright in 1830, which was used for the South American cotton trade. In July 1832, the Aberdeen Journal reported that the Arkwright had arrived in Aberdeen after an uncommonly quick passage of 29 days from the southern US port of Savannah, Georgia. Georgian cotton plantations at that time relied on the labour of enslaved people. Although we have no conclusive evidence, it seems likely that cotton imported on the Arkwright would have been used in the family mill - the Bannermill in Aberdeen.