William Manning

Son of a merchant and his wife Elizabeth, daughter and heir of John Ryan, a planter and slave owner in St Kitts and Santa Cruz. His father also came from a planter family and soon after his marriage started a merchant house in Bristol, trading in West Indies. His son inherited 2/3 of the Ryan estates on Santa Cruz. Connection with Smith took him into Pitt’s circle. Staunch supporter of the government. Agent for St Vincent, leading spokesman of West Indies interests in the Commons. Campaigned for a dock to construct the dock. Provided finance for slave owners and became a slave owner himself. Promoted compensation for slave owners. Good friends with Wilberforce. Went bankrupt in 1831 and withdrew from public life. Died in 1834