Charles Ignatius Sancho: a Black British man of letters and his world

British Academy Conferences bring together scholars from around the world to present, discuss and consolidate new research in the humanities and social sciences.

Charles Ignatius Sancho, late-18th-century Black British polymath, is a foundational figure in Black British history; a recent upsurge in scholarly discoveries of his life has occurred in parallel with films and television shows like Bridgerton and Harlots which have sought to offer more diverse representations of the eighteenth-century and Regency worlds. It is thus a timely moment to convene a conversation amongst scholarly, community, and cultural organizations to newly analyse Sancho, from perspectives including print culture and literary genres, to historical, social, musical, and theatrical contexts. In doing so, the conference will address urgent questions about how Sancho’s life and times force us to re-evaluate contemporary debates centered on race and national belonging in the United Kingdom. For the first time in 25 years, this conference will bring together international scholars and practitioners to interrogate the life, work, impact, and social contexts of Charles Ignatius Sancho.

Conference convenors

• Oliver Ayers, Northeastern University London

Speakers

• Nicole Aljoe, Northeastern University
• Olly Ayers, Northeastern University
• Henrique Borges, Northeastern University
• Vincent Caretta, University of Maryland
• Brycchan Carey, Northumbria University
• Libby Collard, Northeastern University London
• Tiffany Cruz, Northeastern University
• David Diamond, University of Georgia
• Markman Ellis, Queen Mary University of London
• Charlotte Grant, Northeastern University
• Odile Jordan, Northeastern University London
• Paterson Joseph, Actor and Author
• Atesede Makonnen, Carnegie Mellon University
• S. I. Martin, Author and Historian
• Mark Martin, Northeastern University
• Crispin Powell, Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust
• Emily Rohrback, Durham University
• Adam Smith, York St John University
• Lara Taylor, Northeastern University
• Craig Thomas, Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust
• Arthur Torrington, Equiano Society
• Ellen Valente, Independent Scholar
• Joanna Williams, Royal Holloway University London
• Mel Williams, Northeastern University
• Amit Yahav, University of Minnesota

Further information

Tickets are available to book now.

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Image credit: UK Government Art Collection. Joy Labinjo, 'Portrait of Ignatius Sancho' 2022.