Actor Paterson Joseph shares inspirations for novel uncovering story of 18th century Black Briton Charles Ignatius Sancho at Kingston University symposium

Acclaimed actor and author Paterson Joseph revealed how a compulsion to ensure 18th century composer and writer Charles Ignatius Sancho was remembered led him to write a novel about the Black Briton’s life, during a talk at Kingston University.

The one-day symposium, Speaking Texts: Uncovering the 18th Century Stories Hiding in Plain Sight, brought together researchers and educators with those working in the creative industries to explore and celebrate hidden historical figures, objects, peoples and stories. In particular, it focused on the history, culture, and literature of Britain, Europe, North America, and the wider world.

During his talk, Paterson Joseph delivered excerpts in character from his debut novel, The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho, which chronicles the life of a man born on a slave ship who went on to become the first known person of African descent to vote in a British Parliamentary election, through fictional diary entries based on his letters. He spoke of how the story of Sancho had captivated him, inspiring him to share it with a wider audience, as well as presenting a portrait of Sancho and other examples of 18th century art to highlight how Black figures were often hidden from view, left in the shadows or uncredited.

Taking part in a session that explored the structure of his novel and its themes with academics and students was as much an opportunity to learn as to share his own knowledge, the award-winning actor said. “It’s been a great pleasure to come to Kingston University and talk about the 18th century and to remember our history in this way through storytelling – linking that with the academic side, the study of 18th century writing, figures, and art too,” he said. “Portraits are a way of us remembering, statues and monuments too, but storytelling is my way of remembering, and how those stories are told is so vital.”

Organised by Associate Professor in English Literature Dr Karen Lipsedge, alongside the Kingston School of Art research group Race/Gender Matters, the symposium heard from academics from across the United Kingdom and the United States. Topics across panel sessions themed around case studies and diversifying pedagogy ranged from women of science in late Georgian society to a keynote by art historian Adrienne Childs on the portrayal of Black people through ornaments and several sessions on the life and world of Sancho.

The event brought together scholars, practitioners and people working in the cultural industry as well as staff and students to talk about peoples and places and their stories, Dr Lipsedge said. “This symposium has been about starting a conversation, recognising that history doesn’t just begin and end at a particular moment, it is ever-evolving,” she said. “We need to continue to be part of thinking about, making and remaking history and asking ourselves how we can showcase those stories that in the past we have chosen to ignore.

“Paterson Joseph ended our session with a talk about the life of Charles Ignatius Sancho to ensure we keep telling through our conversation, teaching learning and research, not just the story of Sancho, but all those stories that have been hiding in plain sight.”

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