Robert Aldworth

Robert Aldworth was a Bristol-born English merchant and philanthropist. He was a member of the Society of Merchant Venturers which aim was to promote and protect Bristol merchants and trade.

His wealth, although often used for charitable purposes, was mainly acquired through his participation in the transatlantic slave trade, exploitation of slaves and trade with the commodities they produced.

Aldoworth was also connected with the first sugar processing business in Bristol. The sugar produced by slaves from Spanish and Portuguese plantations in Madeira, Brazil and the Azores, was brought in Bristol and then refined in the special “sugar houses”.

Eventually, Aldworth emerged as Bristol’s wealthiest sugar merchant and was elected Mayor of Bristol in 1609. His tomb is in St Peters Church, reflects his profession and source of wealth with sugar loaves carved on it.