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Britain's female slaveowners: the heiresses who made fortunes from enslavement

Miranda Kaufmann reveals how 'Caribbean heiresses' who married into the British aristocracy brought the profits of slavery to Britain

• Ellie Cawthorne

Published: October 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM

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Women's role as slaveowners is often overlooked – but, just like men, they both profited from and maintained the institution of slavery. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, historian Miranda Kaufmann profiles several 'Caribbean heiresses' who married into the British aristocracy and brought huge wealth generated from slavery into the country.

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Miranda Kaufmann is the author of Heiresses: Marriage, Inheritance and Caribbean Slavery (Oneworld, 2025).

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Authors

Ellie CawthorneHead of content (audio)

Ellie Cawthorne is head of content (audio) at HistoryExtra

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