Black Lives in Britain

People of African descent in the British Isles have been widely overlooked in both British social history and the history of Black people. Located in country towns as well as large cities, their contributions spanned diverse roles and professions. Some people of African descent became doctors and medal-winning soldiers, while others were trapped in slavery or sex work. Black individuals participated in political and imperial reform as well as in groups that supported fellow Black communities. Many migrated to Africa, Australia, Jamaica, or New Zealand.
Drawing from contemporary newspapers, historical archives, the writings of descendants and veterans, school and government files, and memoirs, this book offers an in-depth study of the role of Black people in British history. It examines how people of African descent were affected by cultural snobbery, racism, and imperialism, and sheds light on the many other aspects of the varied lives of Black people in Britain from 1830 to 1940. Despite rarely being contextualized in their age, people of color did not solely exist as stigmatized outsiders; they participated in English society as teachers, government officials, tradespeople, and in many other roles.

British historian Jeffrey Green has researched Britain’s black presence for 40 years. His several books, numerous articles, and participation in radio and television programs as well as academic conferences are globally recognized. He was nominated for a Grammy in 2015 for his contribution to Bear Family’s Black Europe, a collection of 44 CDs. He lives in England.

Jeffrey Green
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 233
Bibliographic Info: 37 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2025
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9617-1
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5451-5
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments  v
Preface  1

Chapter One. Servants  7
Chapter Two. The Military  19
Chapter Three. School and College  31
Chapter Four. Medicine  47
Chapter Five. Impostors and Cheats  62
Chapter Six. Playing Games  78
Chapter Seven. Entertainers  88
Chapter Eight. Theatrical Shows  114
Chapter Nine. Africans  125
Chapter Ten. Discrimination  153
Chapter Eleven. Seeking Changes  159
Chapter Twelve. Other Lives  176
Chapter Thirteen. Conclusion  189

Chapter Notes  193
Bibliography  211
Index  217