Ian Bernard, Author at

Independent Historian

Ian Bernard studied Archaeology at the University of Wales, Lampeter. He has worked on many different sites in the United Kingdom from many different periods ranging from Neolithic to early industrial. He has worked for CADW, Fishbourne Museum and Somerset Archaeological Society amongst others. It was whilst working with the Bermuda Maritime Museum on an excavation of the earliest stone built European fort in the Western Hemisphere that he discovered his passion for colonial history and archaeology.

Africans at Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall, named after Roman Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD), was built between 122 and 128 AD as the frontier fortification for the northernmost region of the Roman Empire, near what is the current border of England and Scotland. During their time on the island of … Read MoreAfricans at Hadrian’s Wall

The Zong Massacre (1781)

The slave ship Zong departed the coast of Africa on 6 September 1781 with 470 slaves. Since this human chattel was such a valuable commodity at that time, many captains took on more slaves than their ships could accommodate in order to maximize profits. The … Read MoreThe Zong Massacre (1781)

Learie Constantine (1901-1971)

Image Ownership: Public Domain Learie Nicholas Constantine, Baron Constantine, was an international cricketer, journalist, politician, and lawyer. Constantine was the first person of African/Caribbean ancestry to be invested as a life peer in the United Kingdom. Born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1901 he was … Read MoreLearie Constantine (1901-1971)

Mary Jane Seacole (1805-1881)

Mary Jane Grant Seacole was an early nurse in the British Empire during the 19th Century. Born in Kingston, Jamaica as Mary Grant, she was the daughter of a Scottish officer and a black mother. Mary’s mother ran a hospital/boarding house in Kingston and she, … Read MoreMary Jane Seacole (1805-1881)

John Taylor (1952- )

John David Beckett Taylor, the Baron of Warwick, was born on September 21, 1952 in Birmingham, England. His parents, Derief, a professional cricket player, and Enid, a nurse, were originally from Jamaica. Taylor was educated at Moseley Grammar School and later studied English Literature and … Read MoreJohn Taylor (1952- )

Queen Nanny of the Maroons (? – 1733)

Nanny, known as Granny Nanny, Grandy Nanny, and Queen Nanny was a Maroon leader and Obeah woman in Jamaica during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Maroons were slaves in the Americas who escaped and formed independent settlements. Nanny herself was an escaped slave … Read MoreQueen Nanny of the Maroons (? – 1733)

Nathaniel Wells (1779 – 1852)

Nathaniel Wells, a former slave, plantation owner, and businessman who lived during the 18th and 19th centuries, was also the first person of African ancestry to become a High Sheriff in England. Wells was born on September 10, 1779 on the island of St. Kitts … Read MoreNathaniel Wells (1779 – 1852)

Cubah Cornwallis (?-1848)

Cubah Cornwallis was a former slave to Captain William Cornwallis and became well known in the Caribbean as an accomplished nurse. Few documents exist about her 18th century life, and her name has various spellings including Coubah, Couba, Cooba and Cuba. References to her indicate … Read MoreCubah Cornwallis (?-1848)

Walter Daniel John Tull (1888-1918)

Lieutenant Walter Tull was an English soccer player and the first black British Army infantry officer to die on the battlefield. Tull was one of the earliest professional coloured players. He was born in Folkestone, Kent, England on April 28, 1888, the son of a … Read MoreWalter Daniel John Tull (1888-1918)

John [aka “Jack Punch”] Perkins (?-1812)

Captain John Perkins, nicknamed Jack Punch, was the first black commissioned officer in the Royal Navy. His date of birth and origins are unknown but Perkins first appeared in Navy records in 1775 when he joined as a ship’s pilot aboard HMS Antelope, the flagship … Read MoreJohn [aka “Jack Punch”] Perkins (?-1812)