‘A magisterial excavation of black Britain...every student in the country should read it. ’, - Christina Patterson, The Independent

Essential reading for anyone wishing to understand the long and fascinating history of black people in the British Isles, The Oxford Companion to Black British History explores the subject from its beginnings in Roman times to the present day. From African auxiliaries stationed on Hadrian's Wall in the 2nd century AD, through John Edmonstone, who taught taxidermy to Charles Darwin, Mary Seacole, the 'Black Florence Nightingale', and Walter Tull, footballer and First World War officer, to our own day, the OCBBH provides detailed timeline charts and key dates for people and events. Key concepts such as Emancipation and Reparations are examined, while a unique collection of articles are brought together to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the black presence in Britain, and the rich and diverse contribution it has made to British society. It will appeal to a wide readership including university academics, A-level and undergraduate students, and teachers, as well as to general readers with an interest in Black British history. The publication is also particularly timely: the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority highlighted in their annual report of December 2005 the need to give more attention to the wider teaching of black history.

This book is edited by the prize-winning novelist and noted academic David Dabydeen, together with respected scholars John Gilmore and Cecily Jones, and written by more than 100 specialists.