Summary

A new book, Ricardo’s Dream by Nat Dyer, reveals that Sir Isaac Newton’s wealth was closely tied to the transatlantic slave trade during his tenure as master of the mint at the Bank of England.

Newton profited from gold mined by enslaved Africans in Brazil, much of which was converted into British currency under his oversight, earning him a fee for each coin minted.

While Newton’s scientific legacy remains untarnished, the book highlights his financial entanglement with slavery, a common thread among Britain’s banking and finance elites of the era.

  • Tar_Alcaran@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    53
    arrow-down
    3
    ·
    29 days ago

    He was a rich dude in the 16 to 1700s, his wealth could only come from the suffering of others.

    Nobody gains massive wealth without the suffering and exploitation of others, not the 1700s, not in 800BC and not today.

    • Doubleohdonut@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      17
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      29 days ago

      Hundo p!

      Extreme wealth is built on the back of extreme poverty.

      Heads or tails. Billionaires or slaves. And don’t kid yourself; literal slavery still exists.