Black Americans in Victorian Britain

by Jeffrey Green

Overview

In this, the first study of its kind, Jeffrey Green explores and represents the experiences of some of the black American citizens who ventured forth to Britain in the midst of the Victorian era. Whilst there, they informed the Victorian British and Irish about slavery and repression in the United States. Villages, towns and cities from Dorchester to Cambridge, Belfast to Hull, Dumfries to Brighton, learned of the diverse ambitions and achievements of black Americans both at home and overseas. Across the country, numerous publications were sold to the curious and lectures were crowded.

Ultimately, many of the refugees settled in Britain; some worked as domestic servants, others qualified as doctors, wrote books, taught in schools, laboured in factories and on ships. The youngsters went to school. We might not necessarily think of black immigrants when we consider the population of Victorian Britain. But this is a shameful oversight. Their presence was important and their stories, recorded here, are both fascinating and powerful.

Black Americans in Victorian Britain documents the experience of refugees, settlers, and their families as well as pioneering entertainers in both minstrel shows and stage adaptions of the 1850s best-selling novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. It offers timely and engaging new perspectives on both Victorian and Afro-American history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526737601
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date:	01/24/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Jeffrey Green, a Londoner born in 1944, has researched the black presence in Britain for over thirty years. He has contributed to reference books including the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, and appeared on radio and television. He has travelled widely in the United States.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vi

Introduction vii

Chapter 1 Escape from these Regions of Wickedness 1

Chapter 2 Ellen and William Craft 17

Chapter 3 Children 28

Chapter 4 Minstrels and Uncle Toms Cabin 47

Chapter 5 Frauds and Impostors 57

Chapter 6 Canada 73

Chapter 7 Jubilee Singers 81

Chapter 8 Slavery Narratives 91

Chapter 9 Education 95

Chapter 10 The Length and Breadth of the Country 101

Chapter 11 The Temperance Movement 111

Chapter 12 Women 120

Chapter 13 Elusive Individuals 130

Chapter 14 Postscript 138

Chapter 15 Genealogical Trees do not nourish among Slaves 139

Chapter 16 What Happened Next? 141

Notes 151

Further Reading 176

Bibliography 178

Index 183