COLSTON, EDWARD (1636—I 721), English philanthropist, the founder of Colston's Charity and a generous donor to other foundations in his native city of Bristol and elsewhere, was born at Bristol on Nov. 2, 1636, and died at Mortlake, near London, on Oct. 11, 1721. His father was a keen Bristol merchant and an ardent Royalist. Edward Colston was educated at Christ's Hos pital, London, of which school he was later on governor and a generous benefactor. He made his fortune in trade with the West Indies and in a sugar refinery which he established in Bristol, and though he was domiciled in London he spent much time in his native city. There he endowed (1708) "Colston's Charity" for the education of 10o boys in the principles of the Church of England. This school, built on Augustine's Back, was subsequently removed to Stapleton, Gloucestershire. Almshouses, homes for sailors and other schools in Bristol were endowed by him, and he made many benefactions to London hospitals and schools.
Colston, who was in the habit of bestowing large sums yearly for the release of poor debtors and the relief of indigent age and sickness, and who gave (I 71 I) f 6,000 to increase Queen Anne's Bounty Fund for the augmentation of small livings, was always keenly interested in the organization and management of his foundations ; the rules and regulations were all drawn up by his hand, and the minutest details of their constitution and economy were dictated by him. He was a high churchman and Tory.