Hidden histories: the first black people photographed in Britain – in pictures

Ethiopian princes in exile, boxing champs and ‘Friendly Zulus’ ... these previously unseen images of black people in the Victorian times show colonialism in all its contradictions



  • Peter Jackson, 2 December 1889. Born in 1860 in St Croix, then the Danish West Indies, Jackson was a boxing champion who spent long periods of time touring Europe. In England, he staged the famous fight against Jem Smith at the Pelican Club in 1889. In 1888 he claimed the title of Australian heavyweight champion.
    Peter Jackson, 1889, London

  • Sara Forbes Bonetta was captured aged five by slave raiders in west Africa, rescued by Captain Frederick E Forbes, then presented as a ‘gift’ to Queen Victoria.
    Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Brighton, 1862.

  • Dejazmatch Alamayou Tewodros on the Isle of Wight,1868. An Ethiopian prince, Alamayou was orphaned at the age of seven, brought to England by Sir Robert Napier and adopted by an explorer.
    Dejazmatch Alamayou Tewodros (1861-1879), Isle of Wight,1868

  • Major Musa Bhai, 3 November 1890. Musa Bhai travelled to England in 1888 as part of the Booth family, who founded the Salvation Army.
    Major Musa Bhai, the Salvation Army

  • Eleanor Xiniwe of the African Choir, 1891.
    Eleanor Xiniwe, The African Choir. London Stereoscopic Company, 1891.

  • A member of the African Choir, who all had portraits taken at the London Stereoscopic Company in 1891.
    Member of the African Choir, London Stereoscopic Company, 1891

  • One of the stereoscopic photographs of the African Choir, 1891.
    Member of the African Choir, London Stereoscopic Company, 1891

  • Johanna Jonkers of the African Choir, 1891.
    Member of the African Choir, London Stereoscopic Company, 1891

  • Another member of the African Choir, 1891.
    Member of the African Choir, London Stereoscopic Company, 1891

  • Albert Jonas and John Xiniwe of the African Choir, 1891.
    Albert Jonas and John Xiniwe, the African Choir, 1891

  • Advert for the Lion Troupe of Ashante Warriors, the Wonders of the World, c1890.
    Advertisement for the Lion Troupe of Ashante Warriors, the Wonders of the World, c1890

  • This man was brought to Britain with a Zulu troupe during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and was part of explorer Guillermo Antonio Farini’s exhibition of ‘Friendly Zulus’ in London, 1879.
    Guillermo Antonio Farini’s exhibition of “Friendly Zulus”, London, 1879
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