Professor Trevor Burnard, who passed away at 63, is being commemorated for his extensive academic contributions, particularly his work on Atlantic slavery. Recognized for his brilliance and compassion, Burnard joined the University of Hull in 2019, focusing on the historical impact of plantation societies in the Americas on global economies.
His expertise was pivotal in research conducted by the Scott Trust, leading to an apology and reparations from the Guardian’s owner for its founder’s ties to transatlantic slavery.
Burnard’s role as director of the Wilberforce Institute at the University of Hull from 2019 to 2024 was marked by significant achievements. Under his leadership, the institute received major funding from prestigious bodies like the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the Australian Research Council, and the Leverhulme Trust. These awards recognized the wide-reaching impact of the institute’s work on the study of slavery and emancipation.
Professor Trevor Burnard Honored for His Pioneering Work on Atlantic Slavery and Global History
Dr. Cassandra Gooptar, who collaborated closely with Burnard, praised his prolific contributions and supportive mentorship. She highlighted his hands-off leadership style, which fostered professional growth for many early career researchers and PhD students. Burnard’s dedication to history and his role as a director was evident through his continuous work on new publications up until his final days.
Burnard’s scholarly legacy includes numerous published works, such as “Writing the History of Global Slavery” and “Writing Early America: From Empire to Revolution.” His ongoing project at the time of his death further demonstrated his relentless pursuit of historical knowledge. His passing is seen as a significant loss to the academic community, leaving a lasting impact on those who worked with him.
In a joint statement, the University of Hull and Wilberforce Institute honored Burnard as a world-leading historian. They emphasized his critical research on Atlantic and imperial history and slavery, particularly in the Caribbean, America, and Africa during the 17th to 19th centuries. Burnard’s work has notably advanced the understanding of enslaved people’s roles in ending Atlantic slavery and revealed the involvement of the British royal family in the slave trade.
