Discover the story of Nottingham's first African
Dave | 26.04.2006 20:49 | Anti-racism | Migration
Africanus
Africanus came to Britain as a slave from Sierra Leone at the age of three - around 1766, it is thought. After belonging to a Wolverhampton family for around 18 years he found freedom. Having passed through Nottingham before and admired the city, he headed here to live. He founded a servants' register office as well as working as a waiter and labourer.
He married a local girl, Esther Shaw, in 1788 who he lived with until his death in 1834.
In 2003 his grave in St Mary's churchyard in the Lace Market was uncovered and commerorated with a plaque. Percy Dread, who sang a song for its unveiling, said at the time: "This man has been here a long time and has gone through adversity and made good. I think we should know about him - just like Robin Hood, we should know about George."
To answer the many interesting questions surrounding Africanus' life, everyone is invited to a lecture by Suella Postles on Wednesday May 10. It will start at 7.30pm at the Hillside Club (formerly the Western Club), Hillside, Derby Road, Lenton and admission is £1.
Dave
Additions
A true picture of 'Scipio'?
16.03.2007 10:09
There seems to be some dispute about the above portrait attributed to George 'Scipio' Africanus which is the same one used on the wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Africanus Discussion about portrait accuracy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:George_Africanus The picture is probably better attributed to Olaudah Equiano, slave author of the abolitionist auto-biography:
'The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa the African (1789)':
http://www.brycchancarey.com/equiano/biog.htm The following link contains what is considered to be a more likely picture of George Africanus next to his master George Molineux:
http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/people/migration/slavery
Mike
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