Introduction

The name Sir Isaac Newton has long been synonymous with groundbreaking scientific achievements, particularly his famed theory of gravity. However, a new book reveals an unsettling truth about the father of modern physics—his extraordinary wealth may have been profoundly intertwined with the transatlantic slave trade.

The Revelations in *Ricardo's Dream*

In the intriguing work titled *Ricardo's Dream*, author Nat Dyer delves into the life of David Ricardo, an early economic theorist and one of the most affluent stock traders of his era. More importantly, Dyer sheds light on Newton’s impactful role as master of the Royal Mint from 1696 to 1727, a position that not only granted him political influence but also unmatched financial gains derived in part from enslaved Africans.

Newton's Financial Gains from Slave Trade

During his tenure at the mint, Newton oversaw massive flows of gold, much of which originated from Brazilian mines worked by enslaved laborers. According to Dyer, "I show, in part with his own correspondence, digitized by the Newton Project, that he benefited from gold primarily from Brazil mined by enslaved peoples." Despite facing substantial losses during stock market downturns, Newton amassed a fortune that some researchers are now tracing back to these deep-rooted financial connections to the slave trade.

The Scale of Minting

As the Royal Mint minted about £14 million in gold coins during Newton's 30 years at the helm—an amount nearly equal to what had been minted in the preceding 136 years—the implications of this wealth are staggering. British cloth merchants who traded with Portugal, which controlled Brazilian gold mines, received gold as payment, subsequently turning it into currency at the mint. This intricate web of trade and exploitation reveals a darker dimension to Newton's legacy.

Newton's Financial Transformation

Before stepping into this lucrative position, Newton earned a modest salary of £100 a year (around £36,000 today) as the Lucasian professor of mathematics at Cambridge University. However, by 1702, this amount soared to nearly £3,500 a year (approximately £1.26 million in today’s currency), showcasing the extent of his financial transformation. An inventory of items after his death revealed his opulence—this included sterling silver chamber pots that served male guests discreetly during meals.

Historical Context and Reactions

Prof. Leonardo Marques from Fluminense Federal University in Brazil highlights that the revelations about Newton's financial activities come as no surprise. He argues that during this period, “Everyone involved with banking and finance in early 18th-century Britain in a sense was somehow connected to the history of slavery and the slave trade to Brazil.”

Correspondence and Acknowledgments

The book cites specific correspondence where Newton acknowledges the source of the gold, with a 1701 letter noting, "We can have no bullion but from the West Indies belonging to Spain and Portugal." Further correspondence reveals that the mint was overwhelmed with gold influxes from Portugal, solidifying Newton's position at the epicenter of this gold rush.

Newton and Slave Trading Companies

Dr. Patricia Fara, an academic at the University of Cambridge, previously pointed to Newton’s connections with the East India Company and his involvement with the South Sea Company, notorious for its slave trading activities. She emphasizes the importance of contextualizing historical figures within their time, stating that while “we can’t apply our own moral criteria to people who lived three or four hundred years ago,” it is nevertheless essential to recognize that renowned personalities, including those memorialized in Westminster Abbey, played roles in perpetuating the institution of slavery.

Conclusion

As new evidence emerges, the conversation surrounding Isaac Newton’s legacy continues to evolve. Could this revelation alter our perception of a man often regarded as the very pillar of scientific philosophy? The answers may be as complex as the historical context in which he operated.