Professor Gretchen Gerzina, Black England: A Forgotten Georgian History

In this special Black History Month event at the University of Exeter, Professor Gretchen Gerzina will read from the new edition of her classic book, Black England: A Forgotten Georgian History.

Black England: A Forgotten Georgian History

Georgian England had a large and distinctive Black community. Whether prosperous citizens or newly freed slaves, their dramatic, often moving story is told in this book through the lives of several Black Britons.

The idea that Britain became a mixed-race country after 1945 is a common mistake. By the eighteenth century, Black people could be found in clubs and pubs, there were churches for Black people and organisations for helping Black people who were out of work or in trouble.

Many were famous and respected: most notably Francis Barber, Doctor Johnson's esteemed manservant and legatee; George Bridgetower, a concert violinist; and Ignatius Sancho, a correspondent of Laurence Sterne. But many more were ill-paid, ill-treated servants, some resorting to prostitution or theft. And alongside the free world there was slavery, from which many of these Black Britons escaped.

The triumphs and tortures of Black England, the ambivalent relations between the races, sometimes tragic, sometimes heart-warming, are brought to life in this well-researched and wonderfully readable account.

Praise for Black England

‘Wonderfully vivid, multifaceted and engrossing… this book brings history alive.’ BERNARDINE EVARISTO

To say that this book is ground-breaking is stating the obvious. This is part of our canon. With books like this to guide us we are unstoppable.’ BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH

‘A classic that deserves to be read... indeed, needs to be read… deeply researched, lucidly written, and utterly fascinating. If you ever thought Black British history began with Windrush, read this book - this is a story we should all know.’ GREG JENNER

About the Author

Professor Gretchen Gerzina is an eminent author and academic whose academic posts have included professorships at Dartmouth, Vassar and Barnard, and Dean of the University of Massachusetts. Her books include Black England, Carrington and Black Victorians. She lives in Brooklyn.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

University of Exeter Queen's Building, The Queen's Drive, Exeter, United Kingdom