Dear Colleagues

Please find below details of an HLF funded research post.  Sorry for length of details but avoiding attachments.
Many thanks,

Kath Shawcross
Borough Archivist & Local Studies Manager, London Borough of Sutton


Researcher - 'Gentlemen Slavers'

Following an award of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Sutton Library & Heritage Service is looking for a freelance researcher to help deliver the "Gentlemen Slavers" project.

In the 18th century Sutton was the home of London merchants and plantation owners who were intimately connected with the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Most local residents do not know that slavery was once the hidden resource that helped to underpin the local economy. The project aims to raise awareness of this and show how slavery affected everyone, through an exhibition and programme of activities. 

Post: Researcher
Location: London
Fee:  Total of £8000 to include out of pocket expenses including travel. This will be a freelance contract.
Period: fixed period between June and November 2007.
Responsible to: The Project Manager and steering group

Duties and responsibilities:

	1.	To research the connections between the slave trade and the area now comprising the London Borough of Sutton. The research will be carried out using original and secondary source material in The National Archives, the British Library, local archives on other sources to be identified by the researcher. The research will focus or the Taylor family who are known to have owned a slave worked plantation on St Kitts in the West Indies and on a black servant of theirs called Samuel Mudian. The researcher will identify and investigate potential sources on their own initiative using local, regional and national sources/record offices and the Internet.
	2.	Produce a written summary of the findings listing all sources and also any potential sources, which were checked, but nothing found.
	3.	Produce the text for an exhibition starting on 1 October 2007 and to identify illustrative material for the exhibition which will be aimed at the general public including young people.
	4.	To produce the text and identify illustrations for a clear and well illustrated booklet on the Taylor's and other links between the area making up the London Borough of Sutton and the slave trade. This must be designed to appeal to a wide range of people from children to adults 
	5.	Liaise with the project manager on images to be used in both the exhibition and booklet

Person Specification

	1.	Able to start work immediately and deliver the work within the required deadlines.
	2.	Ability to identify relevant sources, to read and transcribe original manuscripts and build the material into a coherent sourced narrative.
	3.	Ability to write clear and informative captions
	4.	Ability to write a concise, lively and readable booklet on the research findings
	5.	Ability to use Word to prepare text.
	6.	Compliance with the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy .

Application Process

Send an up-do-date CV and a letter of application outlining your reasons for wanting to work with the project, your experience and suitability for the post to: 
Kath Shawcross, Borough Archivist & Local Studies Manager, Central Library, St Nicholas Way, Sutton, Surrey SM1 1EA, [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
- Names and addresses of two people willing to discuss your work on similar projects
Deadline:  16 June 2007. 
For an informal discussion about the post please contact Kath Shawcross on 020 8770 4745.





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