Statues on Campus

A statue to Newcastle businesswoman and philanthropist Dame Eleanor Allan (c. 1629-1708) currently sits on the outer wall of College House on College Street, once the location of Dame Allan’s School (est. 1705) and now the property of Northumbria University. This report summarises recent research undertaken to better understand Allan’s business activities and philanthropy. Following a wider conversation in recent years about the legacies of Atlantic slavery in Britain, including the responsibilities of public institutions in acknowledging, understanding, and addressing those legacies, this report pays particular attention to any possible connections between Allan’s life and the Atlantic slave trade. This report provides a brief summary of research findings; a more detailed essay examining available sources; and a list of sources consulted.

Dame Allan Statue Report