Benedict Cumberbatch's ancestors got rich from slavery in Barbados. Now he could be on the hook for reparations

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 22:43:48 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-04/benedict-cumberbatch-slavery-reparations/101822368>

"For years, Barbados has been seeking reparations from the colonial powers that
unleashed the horrors of slavery on its people for nearly four centuries.

However, now the Caribbean nation is not just focusing on countries and
institutions, but on rich descendants of individual slave owners.

Among the potential targets is the family of Benedict Cumberbatch.

The Oscar-nominated actor has built a lucrative and successful career playing
Sherlock Holmes and Dr Strange, amid other characters.

However, his family's name has a far more sinister legacy.

Benedict's ancestor, Abraham Cumberbatch, purchased a sprawling sugar
plantation on the island in 1728.

It's believed more than 250 enslaved people toiled on the estate over a
century, making the Cumberbatches one of the richest families in Britain at the
time.

Now, 189 years after the family sold the plantation, his descendants may be
required to pay compensation for the sins of the past."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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