Finished reading Roy Hattersley's 'The Edwardians'. Not an easy/pleasurable read so I had to use it more as a reference text than as continuous prose. Hattersley speaks so eloquently, passionately, persuasively, in the TV documentaries I've seen him in, so I had high expectations. Oh well, so it goes.
Did find a few BH refs. Eg. pg 331, in chapter headed 'The End of Innocence' makes mention of an unnamed black American jockey (could it be Willie Simms (1870-1927)?) who'd come to England in 1887, ten years before the American jockey Ted Sloan. Both men had used 'the forward seat' position.
The focus on writers of the age was not very helpful.
Overall: as an outline of the period - only in passing - but at least it collects the key players in one volume and so could be a useful starting point.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
27th Walter Rodney Lecture: Weds 28th October 2010
Just days after the early death of David Thompson, the near 49 year old PM of Barbados, on Wednesday 28th October 2010, the annual Walter Rodney Lecture, held in the Ramphal Building at the University of Warwick, was given by P J Patterson, former PM of Jamaica. Patterson had served as PM in 14 years of unbroken service. The event was well attended.
I’d not heard Patterson speak before. I don’t think I’d even seen him speak on TV news or in documentaries. Patterson did not look 75 years old, but he is. Though his speech was relatively slow and ponderous, he did not sound 75 years old. His bearing was of a man in his 50s: tall and erect. It was only when he moved to take his seat, after standing at the podium for nearly and hour, that he showed signs of age.
Patterson’s talk, introduced by Trevor Burnard of the University’s recently renamed Caribbean Centre, began by celebrating the “clarity & compelling force” of the late Walter Rodney & outlining his personal links with the man. Patterson also praised the University for its dedication to Rodney by holding the annual lecture, which began in 1984, just three years after the assassination of Rodney.
The progress in JA, since 1991, was outlined. For example in 1991 44% of Jamaicans lived in poverty. By 2006 only 15% of Jamaicans lived in poverty. Patterson then drew attention to Rodney’s stance on migration in relation to the people of the Caribbean, notably through Rodney’s book ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Africa’. Patterson saw migration as beginning with the “transplanting of African forebears” and the “ruthless decimation” of a population, no doubt a euphemism for ‘enslavement and forced transportation.’ Reference was made to the way in which ruthless Africans, lured by the profits that slave trading could bring, abandoned traditional industries. In the view of Patterson, development means self-sustaining growth. A further setback to the development of African and Caribbean industries, therefore, was (and is) the desire for European/American goods/services and their “false prestige” at the expense of indigenous goods/services.
There was more than one reference to the damaging ‘brain-drain’ vicious cycle effect of “unmanaged and unco-ordinated patterns of migration” including the transmigration between the Caribbean islands (including Cuba) and South American countries. For most countries, 35% of emigrants have achieved a tertiary level of education. However, with regard to the Caribbean, the figures are as high as 40% to 70% of emigrants being educated to the tertiary level. Though Patterson interpreted this as being tantamount to ‘global poaching’, no real suggestions were made as to how this can be reduced in scale, even though it meant that, in addition, the social fabric of Caribbean countries was under threat especially since a large proportion of the emigrants were women, often leaving behind ‘back-home’ children. However the ‘remittances’ these emigrants sent back to the Caribbean have two effects: on the one hand they contribute to a ‘dependency culture’, especially considering that they, in many cases, total more than most of these Caribbean countries receive in foreign aid (7-19% of GDP). But on the other had, such in-coming funds barely countered the loss suffered as a result of emigration.
‘Swallow migrants’ was a new term on me, apparently relating to the seasonal migration of Caribbean workers within the more prosperous Caribbean islands and across to North America and Canada.
With reference to the Asian, Oriental, Jewish & Arab presence in the Caribbean, I found myself wondering what Rodney’s views were on this and what proportion of the educated emigrants consisted of Caribbeans of non-African ethnicities.
I wondered to what extent patterns of ownership had changed, since independence, with regard to land, properties, businesses and what the implications of this were in terms of what development could take place within the Caribbean.
There were brief accounts of how the two world wars had affected the Caribbean, especially world war two. Samuel Selvon’s ‘Lonely Londoners’ was highlighted as Patterson explored the social & cultural implications of migration and the way in which ‘the cult of migration’ transcended class and colour. This prompted reference to Rodney’s ‘Groundings with My Brother.’
I was disappointed that when Patterson talked of what the Caribbean had exported to other countries, his focus was on music, sport and Mary Seacole. These are not the aspects that are lacking in the Caribbean. What the Caribbean is losing are doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, scientists, entrepreneurs, ICT specialists. Perhaps that is why Patterson was careful not to praise such emigrants?
Because Caribbean countries face similar problems Patterson stressed that their unity could enable common solutions. However Patterson did not mention crime and corruption though I did wonder what steps were being made to counter these aspects that may contribute to the push-factors the prompt educated Caribbeans to emigrate in the first place.
Though he made reference to climate change, Patterson gave no real examples of what Caribbeans were doing to alleviate or at least counter the negative effects of climate change, for example floods, deforestation, health, hygiene. I wanted to hear about the extent to which the Caribbean was making use of technological developments such as solar power, wave power, wind power, etc.
Following Patterson’s 50-minute talk a member of the audience questioned him about the appropriateness of celebrating Rodney, in the light of recent accusations against Rodney’s life and work. Patterson deflected the question on the grounds that he’d had no access to such reports and so was unable to comment. Nevertheless, Patterson asserted, the way in which Rodney was assassinated could never be justified.
All in all, it was a thought-provoking, worthwhile event. I’m glad I made the effort to attend.
I’d not heard Patterson speak before. I don’t think I’d even seen him speak on TV news or in documentaries. Patterson did not look 75 years old, but he is. Though his speech was relatively slow and ponderous, he did not sound 75 years old. His bearing was of a man in his 50s: tall and erect. It was only when he moved to take his seat, after standing at the podium for nearly and hour, that he showed signs of age.
Patterson’s talk, introduced by Trevor Burnard of the University’s recently renamed Caribbean Centre, began by celebrating the “clarity & compelling force” of the late Walter Rodney & outlining his personal links with the man. Patterson also praised the University for its dedication to Rodney by holding the annual lecture, which began in 1984, just three years after the assassination of Rodney.
The progress in JA, since 1991, was outlined. For example in 1991 44% of Jamaicans lived in poverty. By 2006 only 15% of Jamaicans lived in poverty. Patterson then drew attention to Rodney’s stance on migration in relation to the people of the Caribbean, notably through Rodney’s book ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Africa’. Patterson saw migration as beginning with the “transplanting of African forebears” and the “ruthless decimation” of a population, no doubt a euphemism for ‘enslavement and forced transportation.’ Reference was made to the way in which ruthless Africans, lured by the profits that slave trading could bring, abandoned traditional industries. In the view of Patterson, development means self-sustaining growth. A further setback to the development of African and Caribbean industries, therefore, was (and is) the desire for European/American goods/services and their “false prestige” at the expense of indigenous goods/services.
There was more than one reference to the damaging ‘brain-drain’ vicious cycle effect of “unmanaged and unco-ordinated patterns of migration” including the transmigration between the Caribbean islands (including Cuba) and South American countries. For most countries, 35% of emigrants have achieved a tertiary level of education. However, with regard to the Caribbean, the figures are as high as 40% to 70% of emigrants being educated to the tertiary level. Though Patterson interpreted this as being tantamount to ‘global poaching’, no real suggestions were made as to how this can be reduced in scale, even though it meant that, in addition, the social fabric of Caribbean countries was under threat especially since a large proportion of the emigrants were women, often leaving behind ‘back-home’ children. However the ‘remittances’ these emigrants sent back to the Caribbean have two effects: on the one hand they contribute to a ‘dependency culture’, especially considering that they, in many cases, total more than most of these Caribbean countries receive in foreign aid (7-19% of GDP). But on the other had, such in-coming funds barely countered the loss suffered as a result of emigration.
‘Swallow migrants’ was a new term on me, apparently relating to the seasonal migration of Caribbean workers within the more prosperous Caribbean islands and across to North America and Canada.
With reference to the Asian, Oriental, Jewish & Arab presence in the Caribbean, I found myself wondering what Rodney’s views were on this and what proportion of the educated emigrants consisted of Caribbeans of non-African ethnicities.
I wondered to what extent patterns of ownership had changed, since independence, with regard to land, properties, businesses and what the implications of this were in terms of what development could take place within the Caribbean.
There were brief accounts of how the two world wars had affected the Caribbean, especially world war two. Samuel Selvon’s ‘Lonely Londoners’ was highlighted as Patterson explored the social & cultural implications of migration and the way in which ‘the cult of migration’ transcended class and colour. This prompted reference to Rodney’s ‘Groundings with My Brother.’
I was disappointed that when Patterson talked of what the Caribbean had exported to other countries, his focus was on music, sport and Mary Seacole. These are not the aspects that are lacking in the Caribbean. What the Caribbean is losing are doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, scientists, entrepreneurs, ICT specialists. Perhaps that is why Patterson was careful not to praise such emigrants?
Because Caribbean countries face similar problems Patterson stressed that their unity could enable common solutions. However Patterson did not mention crime and corruption though I did wonder what steps were being made to counter these aspects that may contribute to the push-factors the prompt educated Caribbeans to emigrate in the first place.
Though he made reference to climate change, Patterson gave no real examples of what Caribbeans were doing to alleviate or at least counter the negative effects of climate change, for example floods, deforestation, health, hygiene. I wanted to hear about the extent to which the Caribbean was making use of technological developments such as solar power, wave power, wind power, etc.
Following Patterson’s 50-minute talk a member of the audience questioned him about the appropriateness of celebrating Rodney, in the light of recent accusations against Rodney’s life and work. Patterson deflected the question on the grounds that he’d had no access to such reports and so was unable to comment. Nevertheless, Patterson asserted, the way in which Rodney was assassinated could never be justified.
All in all, it was a thought-provoking, worthwhile event. I’m glad I made the effort to attend.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
British Media and the Caribbean
Yesu Persaud Centre for Caribbean Studies, Warwick University
Tuesday, 26th October 2010
Maya Jaggi (freelance writer, mainly for The Guardian and The TLS) gave a talk on: "The British Media and the Caribbean", 5.00pm, Venue: Humanities H0.52,
I had considered myself to be well-read and 'on the ball' when it came to non-UK writers. An internet trawl of some of the work reviewed by Jaggi, from 1998 to October 2010 proved me wrong. Jaggi certainly has the ideal job: being paid to read, review and interview in relation to such a breadth of published materials by writers from the near and far.
However the title for the talk was misleading. The focus was solely on literature produced by Caribbean writers - whether diasporan or 'continental'.
Jaggi outlined the various 'era' in the literature of Caribbean writers: pre WWII, literature of the 70s, 80s, 90s
She acknowledged the often patronising reviews which sought to exoticise the writers and their works. Condemining the works as 'political' by writers with 'chips on their shoulders' was the other approach. Both approaches were based on nonchalant racism/ignorance and made glaring omissions in terms of the contexts in which the works were written. Reviewers would evoke false comparisons with other black writers yet fail to acknowledge how other influences (literary, historical, etc) were being made use of. As a result such reviews were based on dubious judgements and therefore lacked authenticity.
Jaggi also spoke of the was a cultural and historical amnesia in relation to reviewing Caribbean literature, so that no sense of progressions/development could be arrived at. As such each generation of writers suffered from 'perpetual newness'.
Then there was the way in which reviewers wanted the works to 'represent' certain things, even while they failed to see the universal in the particular details. It is such blinkers that prevent such reviewers from seeing the common humanity in the works by Caribbean writers.
There was reference to works in translation and the implications of this.
The overall message seemed to be: don't be too anthropological about the works by Caribbean writers, but don't ignore it either.
I wondered to what extent black and white readers 'read' books in the same ways. eg. How different are the reviews of the same works by different reviewers - based on level of education, 'race' , gender, age and class
Just what is good reviewing practice?
I had expected, given the title of the talk, to hear something about the Caribbean impact on Western literature eg. topics covered, use of dialect, phonetic writing, approaches/outlooks
I wondered how the representation of 'black' characters/countries had changed over the years, and if so, in what ways, and based on what factors.
Tuesday, 26th October 2010
Maya Jaggi (freelance writer, mainly for The Guardian and The TLS) gave a talk on: "The British Media and the Caribbean", 5.00pm, Venue: Humanities H0.52,
I had considered myself to be well-read and 'on the ball' when it came to non-UK writers. An internet trawl of some of the work reviewed by Jaggi, from 1998 to October 2010 proved me wrong. Jaggi certainly has the ideal job: being paid to read, review and interview in relation to such a breadth of published materials by writers from the near and far.
However the title for the talk was misleading. The focus was solely on literature produced by Caribbean writers - whether diasporan or 'continental'.
Jaggi outlined the various 'era' in the literature of Caribbean writers: pre WWII, literature of the 70s, 80s, 90s
She acknowledged the often patronising reviews which sought to exoticise the writers and their works. Condemining the works as 'political' by writers with 'chips on their shoulders' was the other approach. Both approaches were based on nonchalant racism/ignorance and made glaring omissions in terms of the contexts in which the works were written. Reviewers would evoke false comparisons with other black writers yet fail to acknowledge how other influences (literary, historical, etc) were being made use of. As a result such reviews were based on dubious judgements and therefore lacked authenticity.
Jaggi also spoke of the was a cultural and historical amnesia in relation to reviewing Caribbean literature, so that no sense of progressions/development could be arrived at. As such each generation of writers suffered from 'perpetual newness'.
Then there was the way in which reviewers wanted the works to 'represent' certain things, even while they failed to see the universal in the particular details. It is such blinkers that prevent such reviewers from seeing the common humanity in the works by Caribbean writers.
There was reference to works in translation and the implications of this.
The overall message seemed to be: don't be too anthropological about the works by Caribbean writers, but don't ignore it either.
I wondered to what extent black and white readers 'read' books in the same ways. eg. How different are the reviews of the same works by different reviewers - based on level of education, 'race' , gender, age and class
Just what is good reviewing practice?
I had expected, given the title of the talk, to hear something about the Caribbean impact on Western literature eg. topics covered, use of dialect, phonetic writing, approaches/outlooks
I wondered how the representation of 'black' characters/countries had changed over the years, and if so, in what ways, and based on what factors.
Monday, October 18, 2010
My Alter Ego: Ignatius Sancho
On 18th October 2010, Soweto Kinch presented ‘My Alter Ego: Ignatius Sancho’, a 15 minutes broadcast, 15:45 on BBC Radio 4. It was an intelligent programme in which Kinch explored the life of Ignatius Sancho & certain parallels with his own life: his engagement with education, his passion for music and his relationship with his heritage. The programme was illustrated with readings from Ignatius's letters (by Burt Caesar?) and musical compositions. It was produced by Karen Gregor.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Lemn Sissay presentation on BBC Radio 3
Why I Don't Hate White People is a recording made at a community centre in Salford, in which Lemn Sissay presents a humorous, rollercoaster investigation into race.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Marcus Garvey display - Bham Central Library
Excellent, informative panels on loan from kalunga111@gmail.com
Over 25 well-presented panels
Over 25 well-presented panels
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Legacies of British Slave-ownership: One day workshop, Bham 9th Oct 2010
Gas Hall Conference Room, BMAG
The event was attended by around 50 people.
The day began with an outline of the project by Catherine Hall.
Key findings: slave compensation totalled £20 million and involved 30% of state expenditure.
Over 25,000 individual payments were made. 4% of the claimants were based in the W.Mids.
55% of these claims were for less than £500. Exceptions include John Gladstone (ancestor of PM Gladstone) who was awarded £1,100.
45% of all claimants were women, who had been left annuities in wills
2,500 claimants got over £500 and were absentee owners, living in the UK & Ireland
Many claims were contested (by multiple claimants) for periods of up to 30 years. In such cases the claims were paid to courts for the courts to adjudicate.
Catherine Hall presented a case-study outline of the Caribbean-British links within the various branches of the Barrett family, over a period of at least 300 years
Keith McClelland gave an overview of the records in terms of areas, genders, extent of 'property' etc. He indicated areas of research to come, eg.
- Commercial links
- Cultural links
- Imperial legacies
- Military links
- MPs/Politics
- Physical legacies
Nick Draper focussed on the records in relation to the W.Mids, highlighting the Hodgsons of Shropshire, the Flowers of Lichfield etc.
After a coffee break Malcolm Dick outlined the work he had done on Slavery & Anti-slavery in the Midlands. He indicated the contradictory stances that existed within and among those wih slave links. He also considered abolition in relation to motives, origins and activties.
Andy Green focussed on Race and Empire in Post-emancipation Bham, largely in relation to George Dawson.
After lunch David Callaghan gave a very comprehensive outline of Scawdi's 'History Detectives' project.
The open discussion sessions were surprisingly useful, giving opportunities for participants to talk about personal areas of interest/discuss common issues & priorities for the future.
I'm looking forward to the launch of the records online.
The event was attended by around 50 people.
The day began with an outline of the project by Catherine Hall.
Key findings: slave compensation totalled £20 million and involved 30% of state expenditure.
Over 25,000 individual payments were made. 4% of the claimants were based in the W.Mids.
55% of these claims were for less than £500. Exceptions include John Gladstone (ancestor of PM Gladstone) who was awarded £1,100.
45% of all claimants were women, who had been left annuities in wills
2,500 claimants got over £500 and were absentee owners, living in the UK & Ireland
Many claims were contested (by multiple claimants) for periods of up to 30 years. In such cases the claims were paid to courts for the courts to adjudicate.
Catherine Hall presented a case-study outline of the Caribbean-British links within the various branches of the Barrett family, over a period of at least 300 years
Keith McClelland gave an overview of the records in terms of areas, genders, extent of 'property' etc. He indicated areas of research to come, eg.
- Commercial links
- Cultural links
- Imperial legacies
- Military links
- MPs/Politics
- Physical legacies
Nick Draper focussed on the records in relation to the W.Mids, highlighting the Hodgsons of Shropshire, the Flowers of Lichfield etc.
After a coffee break Malcolm Dick outlined the work he had done on Slavery & Anti-slavery in the Midlands. He indicated the contradictory stances that existed within and among those wih slave links. He also considered abolition in relation to motives, origins and activties.
Andy Green focussed on Race and Empire in Post-emancipation Bham, largely in relation to George Dawson.
After lunch David Callaghan gave a very comprehensive outline of Scawdi's 'History Detectives' project.
The open discussion sessions were surprisingly useful, giving opportunities for participants to talk about personal areas of interest/discuss common issues & priorities for the future.
I'm looking forward to the launch of the records online.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Scawdi: History Detectives (2010)
The 37 page publication is a useful addition to the growing body of material related to Black British History. There are one or two typos re. dates and the spelling of names eg. Boscawen is listed as Boscowen. In addition the book would benefit from having a contents page, an index page and a map of the region which also specifies boundary changes.
My main concern about the book is that so much of the pioneering work in Black History, of recent years, especially in the W. Mids, is not being acknowledged.
From time to time various projects are funded to promote Black History, but until current and future projects begin to acknowledge and make links with the projects of the past & present, I fear that they too will become the forgotten and unacknowledged projects of the future.
The criteria for the funding of such projects should insist on an acknowledgement of similar projects of the past & present, within the region & nationally. Only then should such projects be funded, if they can demonstrate how they can add to the history and move things forwards, rather than repeating more of the same.
Perhaps the recent econic climate may make such criteria more likely. Unless this occurs no REAL progress in Black History will be made.
My main concern about the book is that so much of the pioneering work in Black History, of recent years, especially in the W. Mids, is not being acknowledged.
From time to time various projects are funded to promote Black History, but until current and future projects begin to acknowledge and make links with the projects of the past & present, I fear that they too will become the forgotten and unacknowledged projects of the future.
The criteria for the funding of such projects should insist on an acknowledgement of similar projects of the past & present, within the region & nationally. Only then should such projects be funded, if they can demonstrate how they can add to the history and move things forwards, rather than repeating more of the same.
Perhaps the recent econic climate may make such criteria more likely. Unless this occurs no REAL progress in Black History will be made.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Scawdi: In the beginning...
'Scawdi: In the beginning...' (2007) is a power-packed read.
However I've been unable to find any details on Scawdi's "vibrant tapestries - entwined heritage" project, referred to on pg 17
and I could find no information re. some of the images used:
1. the photograph on pg 6
2. the photograph on pg 12
3. the photographs on pg 20 & 21
4. the photograph on pg 25
However I've been unable to find any details on Scawdi's "vibrant tapestries - entwined heritage" project, referred to on pg 17
and I could find no information re. some of the images used:
1. the photograph on pg 6
2. the photograph on pg 12
3. the photographs on pg 20 & 21
4. the photograph on pg 25
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Boulton's Soho House, B'ham
The British iron industries boomed on the back of slavery - chains, padlocks, fetters, the metal used in ship construction (slave ships were sheathed with copper), and hundreds of thousands of firearms that were shipped to West Africa to exchange for African slaves. In addition, all the tools used on the slave plantations were manufactured in Britain. Matthew Boulton developed extensive business dealings with the plantations from his factory at Soho in Birmingham.
Along with James Watt, Boulton developed new steam engines that were sold to the sugar plantations, which used steam power to replace the traditional wind, water or horse power - and so needed fewer slaves. Although Boulton was an abolitionist, there were many iron manufacturers in the Midlands who objected to the abolition campaign, who argued that their business depended on the trade to and from Africa (for slaves) and with the slave plantations. Soho metal industry supplied the equipment for the slave ships, and exports to Africa and the plantations.
Commercial interests conflicted with principles. Matthew Boulton and James Watt were businessmen and were keen to do business with West Indian slave owners. This is despite the fact that from 1776 the Society of Friends (Quakers) in England and Pennsylvania had officially required its members to free their slaves. They explored the prospect of selling steam engines to slave plantations in the Caribbean and in 1783 Boulton had entertained Mr Pennant, a notorious slave owner who owned huge estates in Jamaica and sought steam engines for his plantations there. In the Boulton & Watt collection, there is a printed map of the City of Kingston, Jamaica, by Major John Bonnet Pechon, Engineer, 1809. [Ref: MS 3147/5/1479]
In 1790 Samuel Galton recommended to John Dawson, a Liverpool-based slave trader, that he should contact Boulton and Watt and about supplying steam engines for Dawson’s sugar works in Trinidad. The latter wrote to Boulton and Watt on 9 November 1790:
"Sirs, I have been considering of the conversation Mr Galton & I had respecting the merits of the Steam Engine as I am going to have some Sugar Works erected in the Island of Trinidad & wish to have your Ideas & the opinion of experienc'd people how far it would be practicable to erect them on that plan: the want of Wind & Water the principle on which they are at present work'd, retards the progress so very much, particularly in crop time, That if an engine could be invented with a certainty of answering the purpose, the Rolers so contriv'd that if possible to have a greater effect in the pressing of the Cane than what is at present used but I must observe to you that without wood fire will answer the same purpose as coal, the undertaking would be very hazardous, Coals could not be laid in at that island for less than 71/6 pr Chaldron, the duty being 15/6.
I shall thank you to give me every information of the practicability of this scheme for could it be made to answer, a large field would be open in that quarter of the Globe, the King of Spain having granted a loan of a million Dollars to the Inhabitants of Trinidad for the purpose of erecting Sugar Works & purchase of Slaves which I am to have the supplying of. Should be happy to give every encouragement in the introduction of such a plan with yourself & I can engage the Governor will do the same.
Your reply will oblige Sir
John Dawson"
Boulton and Watt’s reply to Dawson does not survive, but their partnership supplied steam engines to plantations in the West Indies.
Along with James Watt, Boulton developed new steam engines that were sold to the sugar plantations, which used steam power to replace the traditional wind, water or horse power - and so needed fewer slaves. Although Boulton was an abolitionist, there were many iron manufacturers in the Midlands who objected to the abolition campaign, who argued that their business depended on the trade to and from Africa (for slaves) and with the slave plantations. Soho metal industry supplied the equipment for the slave ships, and exports to Africa and the plantations.
Commercial interests conflicted with principles. Matthew Boulton and James Watt were businessmen and were keen to do business with West Indian slave owners. This is despite the fact that from 1776 the Society of Friends (Quakers) in England and Pennsylvania had officially required its members to free their slaves. They explored the prospect of selling steam engines to slave plantations in the Caribbean and in 1783 Boulton had entertained Mr Pennant, a notorious slave owner who owned huge estates in Jamaica and sought steam engines for his plantations there. In the Boulton & Watt collection, there is a printed map of the City of Kingston, Jamaica, by Major John Bonnet Pechon, Engineer, 1809. [Ref: MS 3147/5/1479]
In 1790 Samuel Galton recommended to John Dawson, a Liverpool-based slave trader, that he should contact Boulton and Watt and about supplying steam engines for Dawson’s sugar works in Trinidad. The latter wrote to Boulton and Watt on 9 November 1790:
"Sirs, I have been considering of the conversation Mr Galton & I had respecting the merits of the Steam Engine as I am going to have some Sugar Works erected in the Island of Trinidad & wish to have your Ideas & the opinion of experienc'd people how far it would be practicable to erect them on that plan: the want of Wind & Water the principle on which they are at present work'd, retards the progress so very much, particularly in crop time, That if an engine could be invented with a certainty of answering the purpose, the Rolers so contriv'd that if possible to have a greater effect in the pressing of the Cane than what is at present used but I must observe to you that without wood fire will answer the same purpose as coal, the undertaking would be very hazardous, Coals could not be laid in at that island for less than 71/6 pr Chaldron, the duty being 15/6.
I shall thank you to give me every information of the practicability of this scheme for could it be made to answer, a large field would be open in that quarter of the Globe, the King of Spain having granted a loan of a million Dollars to the Inhabitants of Trinidad for the purpose of erecting Sugar Works & purchase of Slaves which I am to have the supplying of. Should be happy to give every encouragement in the introduction of such a plan with yourself & I can engage the Governor will do the same.
Your reply will oblige Sir
John Dawson"
Boulton and Watt’s reply to Dawson does not survive, but their partnership supplied steam engines to plantations in the West Indies.
Launch of Scawdi's Black History Exhibition
The launch of Scawdi 'History Detectives' exhibition was impressive.
Clive Harris gave a brief talk.
Professionally produced, informative panels are supported by a number of publications:
'History Detectives: Black people in the West Midlands, 1650-1918' - 37 pages of well illustrated details of a selection of biographies which outline the true social history of the region.
'Scawdi: In the Beginning' - 27 pages of well illustrated information
I can't wait to get down to reading these booklets!
Clive Harris gave a brief talk.
Professionally produced, informative panels are supported by a number of publications:
'History Detectives: Black people in the West Midlands, 1650-1918' - 37 pages of well illustrated details of a selection of biographies which outline the true social history of the region.
'Scawdi: In the Beginning' - 27 pages of well illustrated information
I can't wait to get down to reading these booklets!
Boulton's Soho House, B'ham
Finally managed to visit the former home of Boulton. Aside from Bham Back to Backs and Stoneleigh Abbey I've not toured a lot of properties. The contrast between the three properties is very telling.
Unfortunately the guide was not very knowedgeable. Still the property itself revealed a lot. Re. Black British History - only a small panel relating to Equiano's Bham visit and the minting of commemorative abolition/emancipation coins. At least the Equiano book was on sale.
The main purpose of my Bham visit was to attend the lanch of the Scawdi 'History Detectives' exhibition. No one at Soho House, including the two black staff, had any knowledge of Scawdi, let alone today's launch.
Unfortunately the guide was not very knowedgeable. Still the property itself revealed a lot. Re. Black British History - only a small panel relating to Equiano's Bham visit and the minting of commemorative abolition/emancipation coins. At least the Equiano book was on sale.
The main purpose of my Bham visit was to attend the lanch of the Scawdi 'History Detectives' exhibition. No one at Soho House, including the two black staff, had any knowledge of Scawdi, let alone today's launch.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Black History Month: Help or Hindrance?
Josie D'Arby's BBC Radio 4 programme this monting at 11am considered the introduction of Black History Month into British schools and asks whether it has been a help or hindrance to the way children understand the past and to how black people relate to the way history is taught in our classrooms.
Is anything really better than nothing?
Imagine year after year of African drumming, the African slave trade, Mary Seacole, MLK and Muhammed Ali. It would drive me mad if I was a student. It would drive me mad if I was a parent whose child had to endure this each year. It drives me mad as a teacher.
There's so much more that can be done - but laziness - or a lack of time and resources - has much to a answer for.
BHM is all well and good if properly contextualised, but without such context I fear that the endlessly trotted out BHM content is turning both black and white students off Black history.
Is anything really better than nothing?
Imagine year after year of African drumming, the African slave trade, Mary Seacole, MLK and Muhammed Ali. It would drive me mad if I was a student. It would drive me mad if I was a parent whose child had to endure this each year. It drives me mad as a teacher.
There's so much more that can be done - but laziness - or a lack of time and resources - has much to a answer for.
BHM is all well and good if properly contextualised, but without such context I fear that the endlessly trotted out BHM content is turning both black and white students off Black history.
Black British Lives at oxforddnb
see details of Black British lives at http://www.oup.com/oxforddnb/info/prelims/title/preface/#3
and details of Black Britons, 1700-2000 at http://www.oup.com/oxforddnb/info/freeodnb/shelves/sept2010/#black
September’s update adds a selection of 20 biographies of notable black Britons, the first of two sets to extend the ODNB’s coverage of black and Asian subjects over the coming year.
and details of Black Britons, 1700-2000 at http://www.oup.com/oxforddnb/info/freeodnb/shelves/sept2010/#black
September’s update adds a selection of 20 biographies of notable black Britons, the first of two sets to extend the ODNB’s coverage of black and Asian subjects over the coming year.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
October 2010 Events
SCAWDI exhibition launch on Friday 1st Oct 2010, at the Friend's Institute, Moseley Rd, Bham at 12 noon
Legacies of British Slave-ownership on Sat 9th October 2010, at BMAG, Bham from 10.30am
Legacies of British Slave-ownership on Sat 9th October 2010, at BMAG, Bham from 10.30am
Brighton Pavillion: The One Show
Interesting take on Brighton Pavillion featured in a 7 min slot on The One Show: Monday 20th Sept. Saw the Pavillion's use as a miliary hospital for the Asian soldiers as an act of propaganda to deter Asians from uniting with Germany during WWI, as the Turkish had done.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Open Heritage W/e Day 2 pt 2: Northampton
I wish I'd gone to the Heritage Fair at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,
Sheep Street, NN1. Like the gathering at the Herbert in Cov, it was a gathering of local history groups. So why were the Jewish, Asian and BH groups segregated into the Guildhall?
Sheep Street, NN1. Like the gathering at the Herbert in Cov, it was a gathering of local history groups. So why were the Jewish, Asian and BH groups segregated into the Guildhall?
Open Heritage W/e Day 2: Northampton
Arrived in Northampton around 11.45am. Went to see the Public Library (closed!) then took the 30 min guided tour of the Sessions House. An excellent, informative, well attended tour. Much better than Coventry! Included a tour of the old prison cells - very unsettling. The bldg was completed in 1678 but had undergone much refurbishment and expansion.
I wondered how many black, Asian & Jewish men and women had experienced hearings in these premises since 1678.
Next was a brief visit to the Guildhall, largely to see the Black History displays. This information seemed so marginalised by its lack of inclusion in the two main museums of Northampton. The books produced by NBHA don't even feature on the shelves of these museums!
The third event was the Jewish Heritage Trail. The tour guide of my group (one of the three tours starting at 2pm) was Don Welsh. He was brilliant - very knowledgeable. No real attention to a black or Asian presence - but I guess it was a Jewish trail.
The visit to the Northampton Museum & Art Gallery was highly disappointing re. acknowledgement of a black/asian presence. The Jewish headstone was on display which gave rise to acknowledgement of a Jewish presence, but not even Walter Tull was mentioned.
On to the Abingdon Museum where there was a much clearer reference to links with black and Asian peoples, notably through Colonial militias during 1700s/1800s, and refs. to Imperial Regts during 1900s. Still no mention of Walter Tull though!
Throughout the day I'd asked about back-to-backs in Northampton and about WWII hostels. No real info. on these aspects was gained. I was referred t the Public Library (Closed) and to the Records Office (Closed) but at least I've got areas to focus on for next time.
I wondered how many black, Asian & Jewish men and women had experienced hearings in these premises since 1678.
Next was a brief visit to the Guildhall, largely to see the Black History displays. This information seemed so marginalised by its lack of inclusion in the two main museums of Northampton. The books produced by NBHA don't even feature on the shelves of these museums!
The third event was the Jewish Heritage Trail. The tour guide of my group (one of the three tours starting at 2pm) was Don Welsh. He was brilliant - very knowledgeable. No real attention to a black or Asian presence - but I guess it was a Jewish trail.
The visit to the Northampton Museum & Art Gallery was highly disappointing re. acknowledgement of a black/asian presence. The Jewish headstone was on display which gave rise to acknowledgement of a Jewish presence, but not even Walter Tull was mentioned.
On to the Abingdon Museum where there was a much clearer reference to links with black and Asian peoples, notably through Colonial militias during 1700s/1800s, and refs. to Imperial Regts during 1900s. Still no mention of Walter Tull though!
Throughout the day I'd asked about back-to-backs in Northampton and about WWII hostels. No real info. on these aspects was gained. I was referred t the Public Library (Closed) and to the Records Office (Closed) but at least I've got areas to focus on for next time.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Black British History: Open Heritage W/e Day 1
Excellent events attended in Coventry
1. Tour of the oldest part of Coventry's London Road Cemetery - No early black presences have been highlighted but it was my first ever visit so I'll begin to look into it.
2. Tour of Coventry's Town Hall - 1st non-white Lord Mayor seems to have been Sucha Bains, 2004. At least two Asians have held the post since. No one of African-Caribbean presence as yet
Saw where the Citizenship ceremonies take place
3. St Mary's Guildhall - where Mary Queen of Scots was taken for brief period before her execution. No early black presences highlighted as yet.
4. Walking Tour of Coventry, from Old Cathedral (ruins). Guide was informative but held us in one place for too long. I began to faint away (I'd not yet had lunch) and had to leave off the last 20 mins of the tour to take in some sustenance.
5. Attended the exhibits in the Herbert Museum - local history groups gathered with displays etc. Most informative was the Willenhall Group who are also looking at WWII Hostels. This revealed some black presences, notably from Ghana and Iran. Most other goups there had never even considered this aspect of local history.
All in all - a good day
Off to Northampton tomorrow.
1. Tour of the oldest part of Coventry's London Road Cemetery - No early black presences have been highlighted but it was my first ever visit so I'll begin to look into it.
2. Tour of Coventry's Town Hall - 1st non-white Lord Mayor seems to have been Sucha Bains, 2004. At least two Asians have held the post since. No one of African-Caribbean presence as yet
Saw where the Citizenship ceremonies take place
3. St Mary's Guildhall - where Mary Queen of Scots was taken for brief period before her execution. No early black presences highlighted as yet.
4. Walking Tour of Coventry, from Old Cathedral (ruins). Guide was informative but held us in one place for too long. I began to faint away (I'd not yet had lunch) and had to leave off the last 20 mins of the tour to take in some sustenance.
5. Attended the exhibits in the Herbert Museum - local history groups gathered with displays etc. Most informative was the Willenhall Group who are also looking at WWII Hostels. This revealed some black presences, notably from Ghana and Iran. Most other goups there had never even considered this aspect of local history.
All in all - a good day
Off to Northampton tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Black British History: RIP Jefferson Thomas Sr (1942-2010)
aged 15, Jefferson Thomas was one of the nine black students who integrated an all-white high school in Little Rock, Ark., in 1957 in a landmark confrontation of the civil rights movement.
He died of cancer on Sunday 5th Sept 2010, aged 67.
He died of cancer on Sunday 5th Sept 2010, aged 67.
Laurence Westgaph back on form
Laurence Westgaph's career has recovered following the horrors of 2009. He featured in the BBC documentary programme 'People’s Palaces: The Golden Age of Civic Architecture', presented by Jonathan Foyle. Televised on BBC4 on 6th Sept 2010. Westgaph talked of the Bluecoat charity school founded by Bryan Blundell – built on slave money.
Laurence Westgaph, you're beautiful!
Laurence Westgaph, you're beautiful!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Dig reveals story of America's last slave ship - and its survivors
In August 2010, the anthropology Professor Neil Norman from the College of William & Mary has excavated sites in Plateau, in north Mobile County, looking for remnants of the daily life of the Africans who arrived in Mobile in 1860 as captives on the slave ship Clotilda.
Norman’s personal interest deepened after working in Benin, in west Africa.
In Plateau, on the homesites of the Clotilda's descendants, were architectural elements that he had just begun to uncover.
Norman and his team have also worked identifying and mapping the graves of the old Plateau Cemetery.
Keri Coumanis, assistant director of the Mobile Historic Development Commission, administered the grant from the Alabama Historical Commission that, in part, financed the dig. Other funds came from the city of Mobile and Mobile County, which gave principal support to the cemetery work. The Museum of Mobile was also involved, she said.
The story of Africatown began when 110 African men, women and children were brought as captives from Dahomey, on the coast of west Africa, to Mobile in 1860. The trip was financed by Timothy Meaher, a Mobile shipyard owner in business with his brothers Burns and James Meaher. Timothy Meaher had commissioned the voyage to buy the Africans, despite a federal ban on importing slaves. The Clotilda's arrival marked the last known instance of captured Africans being brought to the United States.
The award-winning, 2007 book by Sylviane Diouf, "Dreams of Africa in Alabama: The Slave Ship Clotilda and the Story of the Last Africans Brought to America" (Oxford University Press) adds to the story.
Norman’s digs focused on the homesites of three of those former slaves: Peter Lee, Charlie Lewis and Cudjo "Kazoola" Lewis.
See http://blog.al.com/live/2010/08/story_of_survivors_of_americas.html
article edited by Angela Allison
Norman’s personal interest deepened after working in Benin, in west Africa.
In Plateau, on the homesites of the Clotilda's descendants, were architectural elements that he had just begun to uncover.
Norman and his team have also worked identifying and mapping the graves of the old Plateau Cemetery.
Keri Coumanis, assistant director of the Mobile Historic Development Commission, administered the grant from the Alabama Historical Commission that, in part, financed the dig. Other funds came from the city of Mobile and Mobile County, which gave principal support to the cemetery work. The Museum of Mobile was also involved, she said.
The story of Africatown began when 110 African men, women and children were brought as captives from Dahomey, on the coast of west Africa, to Mobile in 1860. The trip was financed by Timothy Meaher, a Mobile shipyard owner in business with his brothers Burns and James Meaher. Timothy Meaher had commissioned the voyage to buy the Africans, despite a federal ban on importing slaves. The Clotilda's arrival marked the last known instance of captured Africans being brought to the United States.
The award-winning, 2007 book by Sylviane Diouf, "Dreams of Africa in Alabama: The Slave Ship Clotilda and the Story of the Last Africans Brought to America" (Oxford University Press) adds to the story.
Norman’s digs focused on the homesites of three of those former slaves: Peter Lee, Charlie Lewis and Cudjo "Kazoola" Lewis.
See http://blog.al.com/live/2010/08/story_of_survivors_of_americas.html
article edited by Angela Allison
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Birmingham Back-to-Backs, Hurst St/Inge St
I spent the day in Bham yesterday and enjoyed the free exhibition available at the Birmingham Back-to-Backs. It included many interactive information panels and a film about the Back-to-Backs which included a feature on George Saunders.
George Saunders, of St Kitts, came to the UK in 1958 and worked for Philip Collier’s tailor shop on Hurst St, Bham. He then set up his own shop at Court 15, Bordesley Court, Bham in 1974. He worked at a Hurst St back-to-back until 2001.
It then paid £6 for the 90 minute tour of the Back-to-Backs. A brilliant tour. Splendid artefacts on display and a very knowledgeable tour guide.
George Saunders, of St Kitts, came to the UK in 1958 and worked for Philip Collier’s tailor shop on Hurst St, Bham. He then set up his own shop at Court 15, Bordesley Court, Bham in 1974. He worked at a Hurst St back-to-back until 2001.
It then paid £6 for the 90 minute tour of the Back-to-Backs. A brilliant tour. Splendid artefacts on display and a very knowledgeable tour guide.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Film: Advise & Consent (1962)
Advise & Consent is a 1962 American film based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Allen Drury, published in 1959. The movie was adapted for the screen by Wendell Mayes & was directed by Otto Preminger.
It was the first time I'd ever seen this film. I'd not even heard of it before. It was truly amazing, magnificent, compelling!
The cast features Henry Fonda (oh too briefly!), Charles Laughton (excellent!), Don Murray, Walter Pidgeon (magnificent!), Peter Lawford, Gene Tierney, Franchot Tone, Lew Ayres, Burgess Meredith (poor babe!), Eddie Hodges, Paul Ford, George Grizzard, Inga Swenson, Betty White & others.
The film follows the consequences in Washington, D.C. when the President surprises the United States Senate by nominating a man with a hidden past for Secretary of State.
It was the first time I'd ever seen this film. I'd not even heard of it before. It was truly amazing, magnificent, compelling!
The cast features Henry Fonda (oh too briefly!), Charles Laughton (excellent!), Don Murray, Walter Pidgeon (magnificent!), Peter Lawford, Gene Tierney, Franchot Tone, Lew Ayres, Burgess Meredith (poor babe!), Eddie Hodges, Paul Ford, George Grizzard, Inga Swenson, Betty White & others.
The film follows the consequences in Washington, D.C. when the President surprises the United States Senate by nominating a man with a hidden past for Secretary of State.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Black British History tours in Birmingham
I contacted Birmingham Tours at enquiries@birmingham-tours.co.uk
Website: www.birmingham-tours.co.uk
and was told, "We are sorry but we have no Black British History tours in Birmingham at the moment - what a good idea.
I will put you on our mailing list and let you know if we develop a tour on this subject."
Kind regards Sue Behan
Heart of England Blue Badge Guide
I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Website: www.birmingham-tours.co.uk
and was told, "We are sorry but we have no Black British History tours in Birmingham at the moment - what a good idea.
I will put you on our mailing list and let you know if we develop a tour on this subject."
Kind regards Sue Behan
Heart of England Blue Badge Guide
I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Jamaica Independence Day
1962 – Jamaica gained full independence from the United Kingdom, more than 300 years after the English captured it from Spanish colonists in 1655.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Claudia Jones WALK
HINDSITES stages the Claudia Jones WALK, a free cultural walk in Camden celebrating the life and work of anti-racist campaigner Claudia Jones.
Date: Sunday 22nd August 2010 at 10am.
It will be led by actress Jacqui Charles with special guest Rudolf Walker.
Contact walks@camden.gov.uk for booking & details
Date: Sunday 22nd August 2010 at 10am.
It will be led by actress Jacqui Charles with special guest Rudolf Walker.
Contact walks@camden.gov.uk for booking & details
The Barber & the Ark by Marcia Layne
Issachar has been given an ultimatum by his wife Yvonne - either the dreadlocks go or she does. But the veteran barber he visits has other ideas. Over a bottle of his ‘special-ingredient roots tonic’ he shares his dream of discovering the Ark of the Covenant in Ethiopia. It’s a dream that will change Issachar’s life.
Dramatised 5th August 2010, BBC R4 at 2.15pm (Afternoon Play)
Stars: Everal A Walsh, Ram John Holder, Kay Purcell, Tachia Newall & Faz Singhateh
Dramatised 5th August 2010, BBC R4 at 2.15pm (Afternoon Play)
Stars: Everal A Walsh, Ram John Holder, Kay Purcell, Tachia Newall & Faz Singhateh
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
African-Italian Alonzo Pietro, known as "Alonzo Il Negro"
4th August 1492: Three ships—Nina, Pinta & Santa Maria—commanded by Christopher Columbus depart from Palos, Spain, on voyage that leads to European discovery of New World & all its ramifications. pilot of Nina is reputed to have been the African-Italian Alonzo Pietro, known as "Alonzo Il Negro."
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
African proverb: “Until the lions…”
I find the following African proverb problematic: “Until the lions have their own historians, tales of hunting will always glorify the hunter.”
It occurs to me that the proverb is actually damaging & not uplifting, as I’d previously believed.
In depicting humans as hunters & lions, it assumes an inevitable, adversarial relationship between black & white people. It suggests that we're not even of the same species.
It's like using the saying: "A leopard can't change its spots."
Using such a metaphor shows an unwillingness to see any change – it shows a prejudice against such an occurrence. It shows a fixed and closed mind.
It's like the saying: "A bird and a fish may fall in love, but where would they build their nest?" Such a saying implies that people of two different skins colours or religions are not even of the same species - which is clearly a lie. It maginifies the differences because of a bias against 'mixed' relationships.
I've yet to find anyone to agree with me so far, but that doesn't mean I wrong.
It occurs to me that the proverb is actually damaging & not uplifting, as I’d previously believed.
In depicting humans as hunters & lions, it assumes an inevitable, adversarial relationship between black & white people. It suggests that we're not even of the same species.
It's like using the saying: "A leopard can't change its spots."
Using such a metaphor shows an unwillingness to see any change – it shows a prejudice against such an occurrence. It shows a fixed and closed mind.
It's like the saying: "A bird and a fish may fall in love, but where would they build their nest?" Such a saying implies that people of two different skins colours or religions are not even of the same species - which is clearly a lie. It maginifies the differences because of a bias against 'mixed' relationships.
I've yet to find anyone to agree with me so far, but that doesn't mean I wrong.
photographs of black nurses from the 1950s/60s in the Cov & Warks area?
I've got some photographs of black nurses who I think are from the 1950s/60s in the Cov & Warks area.
However I've got no detail of the source, dates, locations of the pictures.
I've tried the RCN History of Nursing archives to no avail
I can forward the pics (by jpg attachment) to anyone who things they may be able to help provide some details
Many thanks
However I've got no detail of the source, dates, locations of the pictures.
I've tried the RCN History of Nursing archives to no avail
I can forward the pics (by jpg attachment) to anyone who things they may be able to help provide some details
Many thanks
Senegalese French Army troops blamed for civilian massacres during WWII
In 1939 Jean Moulin (1899-1943) was appointed préfet of the Eure-et-Loir département. The Germans arrested him in June 1940 because he refused to sign a German document that wrongly blamed Senegalese French Army troops for civilian massacres.
I've been unable to find out any more about this incident OR if other such false blame was applied to black troops.
Any ideas?
I've been unable to find out any more about this incident OR if other such false blame was applied to black troops.
Any ideas?
Black American GIs in Falmouth & Bristol during WWII
Interesting 8min clip on BBC's Coast (on the Cornish coast) - presented by Neil Oliver.
Programme was transmitted end of July 2010 (I'd recorded it but just got round to watching it today)
Programme features:
1. Tony Warner - Black historian
2. John Stokely - son of an unknown black Gi and local Falmouth woman - but is trying to trace his father
3. Dora Cartie - Black Bristolian who also served during WWII and dated a black American GI
also posted by me to BASA JISCmail
Programme was transmitted end of July 2010 (I'd recorded it but just got round to watching it today)
Programme features:
1. Tony Warner - Black historian
2. John Stokely - son of an unknown black Gi and local Falmouth woman - but is trying to trace his father
3. Dora Cartie - Black Bristolian who also served during WWII and dated a black American GI
also posted by me to BASA JISCmail
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Oxford Companion to Black British History: completed!
Sunday 4.45pm and I've just finished the book! In less than a week of hothousing myself on it.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Oxford Companion to Black British History: A happy outcome
I sent an e-mail to the publishers of Oxford Companion to Black British History (2007) who have collected together the marked-up corrections that were made between the hardback version of this book and the paperback and will post them out to me. Unfortunately they are not in electronic form, otherwise they could have been sent as an e-mail attachment.
Meanwhile I'm to submit the possible errors I've come across so far.
Meanwhile I'm to submit the possible errors I've come across so far.
Oxford Companion to Black British History - 2008 reprint
The PB edition of the Oxford Companion to Black British History that I'm working through is a 2008 reprint, which states that corrections have already been incorporated.
The discrepancies I'm coming across will no longer be itemised by me. Instead I've just placed a question mark (in my own notes) alongside all other instances.
In reading Oxford Companion to Black British History (I'm on pg 250) I've come across many new names to track so it's a profitable read. Highly recommended.
The discrepancies I'm coming across will no longer be itemised by me. Instead I've just placed a question mark (in my own notes) alongside all other instances.
In reading Oxford Companion to Black British History (I'm on pg 250) I've come across many new names to track so it's a profitable read. Highly recommended.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Possible errors in Oxford Companion to Black British History (2007
1. pg 38 tells of Leyland, Charles and Roscoe. (article by Erin Somerville)
Shouldn't this be Leyland, Clarke and Roscoe?
2. pg 106 tells of the mother of Samuel Coleridge Taylor being Alice Hare Martin (article by Philip Herbert)
Shouldn't this be Alice Holman?
3. Martin Robison Delany (p128 - article by David Dabydeen & Shivani Sivagurunathan) shouldn't it be Martin Robinson Delany?
Shouldn't this be Leyland, Clarke and Roscoe?
2. pg 106 tells of the mother of Samuel Coleridge Taylor being Alice Hare Martin (article by Philip Herbert)
Shouldn't this be Alice Holman?
3. Martin Robison Delany (p128 - article by David Dabydeen & Shivani Sivagurunathan) shouldn't it be Martin Robinson Delany?
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