Black Aristocrats & Celebrities of the Victorian Era

Popular historic dramas like Bridgerton, Little Dorrit and year of the Rabbit sometimes receive criticism that their diverse casts are historically inaccurate. But in fact there have been people of color in Britain since Roman times. In a previous video, I explored the lives of 7 fascinating black Aristocrats & Celebrities who were living in 18th century England and France. Today we’ll travel forward in time and meet 7 more compelling people of African and mixed heritage who were making waves in Britain during the Victorian era. They include the Queen’s own goddaughter and her royal ward, a renowned actor, a heroic nurse, a circus performer immortalized by the Beatles, one of the most visible models of the era and a best-selling composer. Here are their stories...
Sara Forbes Bonetta
Ira Aldridge
Mary Seacole
Pablo Fanque
Fanny Eaton
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Prince Alemayehu of Ethiopia

Check out the History Tea Time Podcast:

[bryanacents]

I know these videos do not get many views right away, but your ethnic audience (who are in love with history too!) thank you for taking the time! Literally love!!!!

[herdzskyj]

I've read about Mary Seacole and I'm sad that she haven't received her flowers despite introducing already advanced practices in nursing. As a nurse, my hats to you Mrs Seacole.

[siniebeck]

Sarah Rector would make a great story. Her father was enslaved, she was given land in Oklahoma. They found oil on her land and she became so insanely wealthy that even though she was black and indigenous, her race was legally changed to white.

[kathconcepcion]

OMG! For someone who finish nursing and Florence Nightingale being our "model" I was sad to hear that Mother Seacole was denied just by the race so disappointed

[aurus]

I have never heard of Mary Seacole before today and now I can only ask, Florence WHO?? That lady discriminated against Mother Seacole due to her race, and then made a show of donating to Mary's poverty fund once they had returned home. This woman should be a cultural icon! I am always going to bring her up at every opportunity now!

[bulbasaurcowboy]

So glad you make these videos that focus on women and nonwhite history. It really helps to spread education and erase ignorance.

[teamceline]

Thank you for covering this! I tried to watch a black history video on inside edition just now but the comments are absolutely noxious. Your fan community is so much better

[raine]

Gonna say this once and for all for anyone whining about "historical inaccuracy" (esp w/ a diverse cast):

UNLESS A FILM MARKETS ITSELF AS AIMING FOR HISTORICAL ACCURACY/MAKES THAT THEIR GOAL - they can do whatever they want with their characters.

Also hi Ms. Holiday, I love your content and it inspired me to pursue my major in History, as well as my minor in education.

[JemimaTyoden]

Love your videos Lindsay. Just wanted to add that historically Yoruba was, and still is a tribe and language, not a place or village. So Sarah was not “born in Yoruba”, she was born in Oke Odan, which was one of the many Yoruba speaking villages/lands that existed.

Additionally, saying at 3:55 that “His parents were also from Yoruba” is also incorrect.

[tiptopmomma]

Thank you for this series. I teach in the African American Studies Department at California State Fullerton and online for the History Department of John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. I appreciate the research you have done to bring to light the accomplishments of this group of human beings.

[scottyb]

It's nice how some of these families who suddenly had Black children or grandchildren they never expected to have, they were still pleasant to them. Like, a white British 1800s Grandpa sharing his passion for music with his illegitimate Black grandson is just nice. Sometimes it takes a reminder that there's always been decent people around.

[paulhunter]

While Republicans Senate and School districts across the USA have expunged Black history from their curriculum. Your providing great service by bringing to light many Black nobility and notable persons of Color. Thank you so much..I am going pass link your site to everyone my family. So they show their children about our roles in History.

[Richardsonprincess]

Let's do the history of 'black elite' of the gilded age

[ecleland]

Mary Seacole is worth an automatic upvote, every time. Everyone needs to learn about her.

[BriLicious]

Thank you Lindsay for highlighting these often overlooked figures in history in honor of Black History Month! 💕 This video spurred me to buy some books and do more research of my own on these interesting people!

[unkiemiloplays]

Loved this, can't wait to see more. Have you considered videos on disabled historical figures, that would be a lot of fun too. Benjamin Lay was a Dwarf who fought slavery in America and lived in a cave in protest of slavery. Just a thought if your trying to think of a new subject after this. Definitely want more black history first tho 🎉

[oliviaw.]

I really do hope that school teachers show history like this to their students. You don't have to be royal to be a history-maker, but my gosh these individuals are worthy of note!

[desta]

I can't believe you found prince Alemayehu.

[Hathor]

It is so refreshing to have a black history lesson that’s not the typical figures we keep seeing, I wish Black History being taught in school would incorporate more of these stories.

[feyrol]

I love how you're passionate about all history and give a nuance portrayal