HIDDEN FIGURES

When it comes to black history, unfortunately, an overwhelming amount of prominent and powerful black figures who have changed the course of history, have been overshadowed and hidden. There’s a lot missing from the average history book and a lot to catch up on. With so much information now readily available, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Below are some little-known snippets of Black History that you might not have heard about, put together to further inspire your learning journey. 

DIDO ELIZABETH ‘BELLE’ LINDSAY 

British heiress and member of the Lindsay family of Evelix, Dido Elizabeth Belle, was born into slavery. The daughter of a captured west African woman and Royal Naval officer, Sir John Lindsay, is often known as Britain’s first black aristocrat. It’s unclear how her parents met, but in 1760 Dido’s mother Maria Belle was kept as a mistress to Lindsay. The first record of Maria was on Dido’s birth certificate in 1766, Sir John Lindsay was not recorded as the Father, but it’s reported that he stayed in contact and supported his daughter over the next 10 years. 

Dido spent much of her life in the care of her Father’s uncle William Murray, at Kenwood house in Hampstead Heath. At this time, it was extremely unusual for a powerful aristocrat to be the legal guardian of an illegitimate mixed-race child, especially given the fact that she was raised as part of the family instead of as a servant. 

Raised as a Lady alongside her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray, Dido learned to read, write, play music and was gracefully at ease in the presence of invited guests. Dido was also in charge of supervising Kenwood’s diary and poultry yard. Dido was known to be headstrong and introspective, rising above daily challenges and protesting change. 

Dido lived at a time when the transatlantic slave trade was at its height, and Britain’s economic success relied heavily on the slave labour in the Caribbean and British colonies. So it’s no surprise that the famous painting above is so highly unusual – depicting a black woman as an equal to her white companion… Read more here or if you’d prefer, you can watch a beautiful depiction of Dido’s story in feature film ‘Belle’ released in October 2013. Confidential 

BLACK HISTORY DID NOT BEGIN WITH SLAVERY 

Unfortunately, excluding a few lessons on Ancient Egypt (where the Ancient Egyptians were very often not depicted as black), the black history we learn at school has always begun with slavery. Africa is a vast, diverse continent with long, complex histories and today comprises 54 countries. But how much do we know about Africa before slavery? 

Mansa Musa 

Mansa Musa of The Mali Empire is believed to have been the richest person in the world, ever. "Contemporary accounts of Musa's wealth are so breathless that it's almost impossible to get a sense of just how wealthy and powerful he truly was," Rudolph Butch Ware, associate professor of history at the University of California, told the BBC. Learn More 

The Mali Empire & Timbuktu Many may not know that this was a cultural, academic and economic hub for centuries. The Mali Empire, once a large region in West Africa, was one of the world’s most powerful in the 14th century.  

THE KINGDOM OF BENIN 

The Kingdom of Benin began in the 900s when the Edo people settled in the rainforests of West Africa. By the 1400s they had created a wealthy kingdom with a powerful ruler, known as the Oba. The Obas lived in beautiful palaces decorated with shining brass.

The Kingdom of Aksum 

Located in what is now Ethiopia and Eritrea, this is considered one of the most powerful kingdoms—a rival to the Greek and Roman empires. It was known for its language (establishing one of the first written scripts in Africa), architecture, trade with Europe and the Far East, and status as one of the first empires to adopt Christianity.

THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT BLACK HISTORY IN BRITAIN 

It’s commonly misunderstood that Black people arrived in Britain through the Windrush migration. However, all throughout history, there have been Black and Brown individuals and societies living, working and travelling through Britain. Recent discoveries show that a Black presence in the British Isles goes back to at least the 3rd Century, with figures such as the Ivory Bangle Lady and the Beachy Head Woman. Black figures have always and continue to play significant roles in British history. 

The First Black Britons 

Black people have lived in Britain for centuries - Their circumstances varying significantly. The Ivory Bangle Lady showed that wealthy Black people were living in England as early as the 4th Century, however, later years show a large number of Black Britons were enslaved and exploited

Black Londoners before 1948 

Its believe that the Black population in London had reached up to 20,000 by the 18th Century. Many were either waged or enslaved servants, but there were also remarkable works of prose, poetry and music written by Black Britons.

The Caribbean Migration 

When we talk about Caribbean migration into England we often think about the Windrush generation, who arrived in Britain between 1948 and 1971. But black people were actually brought over from Jamaica to fight in World War One.

The Bristol Bus Boycott 

After WW2 Caribbean and African people were brought over to help rebuild the country, working NHS and public transport jobs. Bristol’s bus company’s refusal to hire Black and Asian people led to the boycott of buses across the city.

PEOPLE WHO YOU MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN ARE OF BLACK/MIXED HERITAGE AND UNRECOGNISED HIDDEN FIGURES 

In the words of historian Andrew Hann “History tends to be written by the powerful… it tends to be written by the people in charge. If you look at the archival history, which is the history that most people know of, it’s predominantly male, it’s predominantly white, it’s predominantly middle or ruling class, and it focuses very much on formal relationships t do with title and entitlement to land and that sort of thing. You don’t tend to get minorities or transient populations in recorded histories”. Hann perfect explains why the list of people below have had their true race hidden from the limelight and have sometimes been hidden all together. 

Alexandre Dumas – Author of The Three Musketeers 

Dumas’ most popular works, The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers, have engrossed readers and actors for years. Yet many literary historians simply chose to erase his racial origins. 

Queen Charlotte 

Many believe that Megan Markle was the first black royal. In 1761 Queen Charlotte became a British Queen after marrying King George III - and many historians believe Queen Charlotte had African ancestry.  

Machado de Asis 

Machado de Asis is known as the greatest writer in Brazilian history, for years he was depicted as a white man, but thanks to Zumbi dos Palmares recent changes were made for a fairer future Watch The Case Study Here Confidential 

Beethoven (Urban Legend) 

It’s believed that the truth of his ethnic origins was covered up through a mixture of white powder worn on his face when out in public, the use of body doubles for portraits, and “euro-centric” historians, hiding the truth of his genetic heritage. Some websites also claim that Ludwig’s piano sonatas contain African polyrhythms.

Una Marson 

Not only was Marson the first Black female to be hired as a broadcaster at the BBC, she was a Jamaican feminist, activist and writer, producing poems, plays and radio programmes.

Septimius Severus 

The first African Roman emperor. Born in Libya, Septimus Severus visited rome for the first time in 163, he expanded and strengthened the African border, increased the strength of the army and lifted the ban on marriage that existed in the Roman army. Severus spent the last three years of his life in York before his demise in 211AD.

Cathay Williams 

The first African-American female solider who enlisted in the United States Army. Cathay enlisted under the pseudonym William Cathay, posing as a man.

Ralph Bunche 

Born to a Barber and a musician, the brilliant academic and U.N. diplomat, became the first African-American to hold a top job in the state department. Winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his peacekeeping efforts in the Middle East, Africa and the Mediterranean.

Henrietta Lacks 

Henrietta’s cells nicknamed the ‘HeLa’ cells, were taken without her knowledge, have played a part in some of the world’s most important medical advances. Although she died of cancer over 60 years ago, he immortal cells are still alive today.

John Richard Archer 

Elected Mayor of Battersea in 1913, John was a British Politian and political activist. Archer was not only the one of the first Black mayors in London, but he was also a founding member of the Labour Party

EDUCATION IS KEY 

Until recent conversations, it was often said that racism was not a problem in the United Kingdom, a misunderstanding that has affected Black lives in Britain for too long. These views likely stem from gaps in available information and the education system. Ideally, schools would have equipped us with a more comprehensive view of history, and unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be the case for most. "lf you're omitting different histories and narratives, you're saying that these people aren't part of this country, this nation, this heritage - or they're not important enough to be taught as common knowledge," says Melody Triumph, policy specialist at The Black Curriculum. These hidden figures are important and the information is out there, we just need to look a little harder. 

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” —Maya Angelou