Humphry Morice

Humphry Morice was one of the leading slave traders in London whose ships transporting slaves had the surgeons among its crew, half a century before their inclusion was officially required.

Humphry was born as the only son of Humphry Morice, a London merchant trading extensively in Africa, America, Holland and Russia. At age 18 he took over the mercantile business and continued to trade with Africa, the West Indies and English colonies in North America.

By the early 1700s, Morice emerged as one of the leading slave traders in London. At the time, English capital was known as the largest slaving port. His ships transporting slaves across the ocean to Virginia, Maryland and Jamaica had the surgeons among its crew, half a century before their inclusion was officially required. However, his care for the health of the human cargoes was of course motivated by the business interests.

His position as one of the leading businessmen in England allowed him to be appointed governor of the Bank of England from 1727 to 1728. This institution was founded in 1694 and made capital available to various adventurers involved in the slave trade. Morice also served as MP for Newport between 1713 and 1722.

He died suddenly in 1731, possibly of gout although, it was widely believed at the time that he actually poisoned himself. Namely, soon after his death it was revealed that he had defrauded the Bank of England of more than £29,000 - in excess of £3 million in today's money. It took 43 years to settle his financial affairs, although some of his creditors were never paid.