The Complicated Legacy of Robert Milligan

Robert Milligan's statue outside the Museum of London serves as a symbol of a complex history tied to colonialism and the slave trade. While Milligan was instrumental in developing the West India docks and is credited with influencing London's culinary scene through the import of spices, he was also a slave trader, which complicates his legacy as a historical figure. In 2020, a petition to remove his statue gained significant support, leading to its quick removal amid protests. This situation highlights how public art can represent conflicting narratives and evoke strong emotions based on the historical stories they convey.