Richard Oswald was a member of the consortium Grant, Oswald and Company, who purchased Bunce (aka Bense) Island, off the coast of Sierra Leone. This island became a trading station for the trafficking of enslaved African people.

North-West prospect of Bunce Island, Sierra Leone c. 1726 (Image: Creative Commons)

North-West prospect of Bunce Island, Sierra Leone c. 1726 (Image: Creative Commons)

Joseph Opala & Emory Campbell discuss the role of Bunce Island in the transatlantic slave trade in Episode 3 of Afua Hirsch’s audio series; We need to talk about the British Empire (Free to members, Free access to Audible for 30 days).

Scotland’s links to Bunce Island, and the shared history between Sierra Leone and Scotland are further discussed in the 2018 BBC documentary, Slavery: Scotland’s Hidden Shame.