London Bourne facts for kids

London Bourne (born 1793, died 1869) was an amazing person from Barbados. He started his life as a slave but became a very rich merchant. He also worked hard to end slavery and fight for equal rights for everyone.

London Bourne's Early Life

London Bourne was born into slavery in Barbados in 1793. His father, William Bourne, was also a slave at first. But William was a skilled worker and a smart businessman. He saved enough money to buy his own freedom. By the time London was born, William Bourne was already a successful businessman who owned several properties.

London Bourne remained a slave until he was about 23 or 25 years old. At that time, his father bought his freedom for $500. His father also bought London's mother and four brothers at the same time for $2,500.

London Bourne's Business Success

By the late 1820s, London Bourne was already one of the wealthiest merchants in Bridgetown, Barbados. He owned stores and had a business that helped sell sugar.

By 1837, London Bourne owned three stores in Bridgetown. He was worth between $20,000 and $30,000. His business even had partners in England, with an office in the City of London. This office employed English clerks. It was very unusual at that time for a Black man to have white employees. Bourne also helped people by giving loans to both Black and white customers.

In 1841, London Bourne started buying large pieces of land outside Bridgetown. He bought a 169-acre plantation in St. Michael for 7,428 pounds. He bought a second plantation in 1856.

Even though he was very successful, London Bourne faced unfair treatment. Wealthy Black merchants like him were often not allowed into the merchants' exchange. This was a place where business people met. It was surprising because the rooms for the merchants' exchange were actually rented from London Bourne himself! He was a big merchant with business all over, but he wasn't allowed inside.

London Bourne's Fight for Rights

London Bourne was also involved in helping his community. In the mid-1820s, he was part of the St. Mary's Society. This group worked to educate poor Black children and offer other help.

In 1840, Bourne joined the Barbados Auxiliary Anti-Slavery Society. This group worked to end slavery. He was also a strong supporter of Samuel Jackman Prescod. Prescod was an important activist who fought for the civil rights of Afro-Barbadians. London Bourne believed that if white people spent time with Black people, they would have a better opinion of them.

London Bourne's Family Life

In 1822, London Bourne married Patience Graham. She was a free Black woman who owned property. Together, they had seven children.

London Bourne's Later Years and Legacy

London Bourne passed away at the age of 76 in 1869. Even though he had some business losses in the late 1850s, he was still very wealthy. He owned a lot of property when he died.

In 1997, a building that used to be London Bourne's main business address was torn down. A new housing development was built there. It was named London Bourne Towers to honor him and his achievements.