Bryan Blundell

Blundell first went to sea aged 12 and kept a detailed journal painting a vivid picture of the tumultuous political times and their impact on transatlantic trade. This document also contains his amateur colour drawings of ships and detailed drafts of their rigging plans, which enabled him to have vessels constructed in Virginia at a far lower cost than in England.[1]

After his early exposure to the sea, Blundell made a career as merchant. Blundell captained The Mulberry, which was the first ship in the Old Dock in Liverpool in 1715.[2] and transported a large number of English indentured workers to Virginia.

Blundell was also involved in the trade and transportation of African slaves. He was the owner of the Tarleton which landed 236 slaves in Barbados having embarked them on the Gold Coast. Blundell's sons continued an involvement in the trade throughout the 18th century.[3][4]

In 1708, Blundell used much of his fortune to found a Bluecoat School in Liverpool in conjunction with The Rev’d Robert Stythe. Both Blundell and Stythe were members of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and in line with the organisation's mission in England they founded The Liverpool Blue Coat Hospital School in 1708. Fifty boys were admitted to the school in its first year and a school building (now the Bluecoat Chambers) was dedicated in 1717 to provide boarding facilities for the growing number of students, toward which Blundell gave £500.[5]

After Robert Stythe's death in 1714 Blundell was appointed as treasurer of the school, an appointment he held for 42 years until his own death in 1756.[6] Upon gaining this position, Blundell finally resigned himself from the sea. Blundell expressed a desire in his accounts to 'see as many charity schools as there are churches' as well as to see 100 boys and girls in the Blue Coat before his death - a desire which was indeed accomplished.

Blundell died on 27 January 1756 and was interred at Our Lady and St Nicholas Church. His sons succeeded him as treasurers of the Blue Coat. His memorial stone, originally housed in Our Lady and St Nicholas Church, now resides in the chapel of The Liverpool Blue Coat School after the church was damaged during the Liverpool Blitz.[7]