100 Great Black Britons: A Celebration of the Extraordinary Contribution of Key Figures of African or Caribbean Descent to British Life

by Patrick Vernon, Angelina Osborne

A long-overdue book honouring the remarkable achievements of key Black British individuals over many centuries, in collaboration with the 100 Great Black Britons campaign founded and run by Patrick Vernon OBE.

'Buillding on decades of scholarship, this book by Patrick Vernon and Dr Angelina Osborne brings the biographies of Black Britons together and vividly expands the historical backdrop against which these hundred men and women lived their lives.'
From the Foreword, by DAVID OLUSOGA

'I am delighted to see the relaunch of 100 Great Black Britons. For too long the contribution of Britons of African and Caribbean heritage have been underestimated, undervalued and overlooked'
SADIQ KHAN, Mayor of London

Patrick Vernon's landmark 100 Great Black Britons campaign of 2003 was one of the most successful movements to focus on the role of people of African and Caribbean descent in British history. Frustrated by the widespread and continuing exclusion of the Black British community from the mainstream popular conception of 'Britishness', despite Black people having lived in Britain for over a thousand years, Vernon set up a public poll in which anyone could vote for the Black Briton they most admired.

The response to this campaign was incredible. As a result, a number of Black historical figures were included on the national school curriculum and had statues and memorials erected and blue plaques put up in their honour. Mary Seacole was adopted by the Royal College of Nursing and was given the same status as Florence Nightingale. Children and young people were finally being encouraged to feel pride in their history and a sense of belonging in Britain.

Now, with this book, Vernon and Osborne have relaunched the campaign with an updated list of names and accompanying portraits - including new role models and previously little-known historical figures. Each entry explores in depth the individual's contribution to British history - a contribution that too often has been either overlooked or dismissed.

In the wake of the 2018 Windrush scandal, and against the backdrop of Brexit, the rise of right-wing populism and the continuing inequality faced by Black communities across the UK, the need for this campaign is greater than ever.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Race, Biography

440 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2020

Reviews

[gaverne Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long overdue and brilliant.

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is brilliant. I read it over 12 days and I was inspired, impressed, encouraged and also informed. I learned a tremendous amount about the lives and contributions of black Britons. I loved the way the book combined historical and present day figures, bringing both the past and the present to light.

This is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to know more about black and ethnic minority communities in the UK and the contributions they have made and are making to this country. It also emphasises the need for a taught history that tells the truth about UK roll in the transatlantic slavetrade and the impact of colonization, and how both of these still have influence and impact in our world today.

I finished this book having celebrated the lives of these women and men, and I am also inspired and encouraged. A huge thank you to the authors for this excellent volume.

[Juliet Bowerman · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept was brilliant. Black British History is sadly underappreciated. There are so many amazing and inspiring black people in the history of the British Isles. Sadly, the authors of this book (and the people who chose the so-called "100 Great Black Britons) have made some unhelpful choices. While the book (and list) includes some of the most inspirational (and sadly not very well-known) black people from British history, there are some rather questionable entries. Queen Charlotte, the German wife of King George III was not black; it's possible that she may have had a very distant ancestor from Africa, about 15 generations previous, but the idea that she was actually black is preposterous. Sadly, the idea of including this white person in the list of 100 Great Black Britons is a perfect example of clutching at straws, and takes away from the credibility of the book. Such inspirational heroes of Caribbean heritage as Walter Tull, Lionel Turpin and William Robson Clarke have been overlooked, yet their stories surely deserve recognition in a list of great Black Britons. Instead, we are told about the likes of Munroe Bergdorf, who has simply changed gender, worked as a model and famously made derogatory comments about people of a particular race. There are many black politicians mentioned, which is great, but only the politicians of one particular party seem to get a mention. Where is the mention of Kwasi Kwarteng, who is UK's first Black Secretary of State? Dawn Butler is mentioned, but why not Kemi Badenoch?
For a person who is passionate about the history of Black people in Britain, I found this book to be rather disappointing, and very one-sided. Almost as if the authors had an agenda. Where is Norman Beaton? Where is Rudolph Walker? Where are Nicola Adams and Mo Farrah? Why include Stormzy, whose lyrics have glorified getting rich by drug-dealing, violence and sexism, in favour of Marcus Rashford, a wholesome, successful and skilled sportsman who has campaigned for poor children in the UK? There are so many awe-inspiring black people who have contributed to making Britain great, who have been overlooked.
I found this book to be quite patronising, and for reasons mentioned above, it left me very disappointed and rather skeptical.

[Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect book to dip in and out of. I loved picking this up and reading five or six of these and then going about my day, feeling inspired by these amazing people who have shaped not just Britain (as the title suggests) but the world as a whole with their work and wisdom.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent reference detailing 100 Black people who have made signification contributions to British society over the past few centuries and are still doing so today. Covering current affairs, the arts, science, literature, music, film and television, politics, sport and more, "100 Great Black Britons" emphasises that people of African descent have been part of British society long before the arrival of the Empire Windrush. I was (pleasantly) surprised to find so many mentioned in the book I knew nothing about, so I found much that was new to me.

In the introduction, the author outlines the need to recognise Black contributions, how this list came about, and the criteria for nomination.

This work is one of my reading recommendations, and I feel it would be an excellent addition to the school curriculum.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very important

[Mandi Lavoie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got about 1/3 through the book and then DNF’d.

Too much of the mini biographies were reiterating repeatedly non tangible issues based on race and gender with no examples. Show me don’t tell me. Make it visceral and real to me.

Only one biography actually told a story of a woman’s history as a biracial daughter of an African father and an Irish Catholic Woman who was pregnant out of wedlock: double whammy at the time after World War 2. That is an example of what I want to read and learn and make personal to me.

I was disappointed ☹️

I have difficulty connecting with the people covered in this book because nothing was personal or tangible events.

“They faced racial discrimination” and saying it a different way over and over again is a disservice to the plight these people face when it’s so generalized.

[Judy Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book comprises tiny biographies of 100 black Britons who have historical significance for various reasons. It makes me feel ashamed that I don’t even know the names of so many, and angry with my school history books that didn't mention those who featured in the period covered by my O' level course. We covered both the abolition of slavery (portrayed as a great victory for British humanitarianism) and the Crimean War without mentioning Mary Seacole or any of the black abolitionists.
I’m glad I read it.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think everyone should read this book, it's so important. I would say that libraries and schools need this. I was surprised at how many people mentioned I knew yet didn't know a lot about them at all and of course all of those who have been overlooked at which I've never heard of before. Again this book is so important and I hope there will be more books highlighting more great black Britons and other ethinc minorities in the UK. So please read it, you won't regret it.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This should have been a celebration of under-recognised black excellence, but unfortunately it falls short, literally. It should have been twice the length, the legacy of most of these names can’t be summed up in 2 pages without feeling lacking. Also it’s poorly balanced, some of the entries feel almost lacklustre, while some feel so driven by the author’s viewpoints and agendas I wish they had left the facts alone to speak to the injustice, which they invariably do.

[Andrew Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The origins of this book were a response to the BBC's poll of Greatest Britons - by expanding the scope to include the empire, and to uncover stories of black Britons on these islands, a wider understanding of both British History and Contemporary Culture can be fleshed out and the role of black people in it.

[Verity Ruston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to get my head around the fact there are only 20 reviews for this.

I do agree with what some people have said re the small biographies being brief but I think when you have 100 people to cover it's understandable.

I expected it to be more historical but everyone in there certainly met the description.

A really important book and also a good jumping off point for further reading

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for this book. It's been a delight and an education reading this book. Very empowering and motivational during a very challenging year. I hope this is just the 2020 edition/volume and that the editors provide with updates in the years to come

[Desmond Felix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes the reader aware of the influence of Black people on British history and life and bring attention to people who may not necessarily have got the recognition that their achievements undoubtedly deserve.

[Bethan Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes cute I learned about so many cool people I’d never heard of before! Would have liked the sections to be longer for some of the people but equally didn’t want to read this for 800 pages so u can’t have it all I guess lol

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for Black History month, some incredible people who I'd never heard of as well as some new details about those I had.

[Nicki Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learnt loads about some familiar faces and even more about men and women I'd not known before. Fab book.

[Sophie Hallums · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a very quick summary

[Daniel Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and really illuminating, particularly some of the pre-20th century figures.

[Marva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential

This book is essential for creating new and real narratives about black people. I found it very inspiring and educational.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant informative look at some of the 100 great black Britons of history and the present that highlights a lot of people I had never heard of before. This book is important as it has educated me and made me think and I feel like it should be required reading for everybody. I'm now off to research more about these amazing people.