People in history

Arthur de Gobineau and the Essay on the Inequality of Human Races

Joseph Arthur de Gobineau, a name that resonates with controversy and historical significance, remains a pivotal figure in the development of racial theory. His influential work, “Essay on the …

The assassination of Medgar Evers: A turning point in the civil rights movement

The assassination of Medgar Evers, a prominent African American civil rights leader, marked a significant turning point in the fight against racism and sparked renewed efforts towards achieving racial …

Arthur Wharton world’s first black professional footballer

Arthur Wharton was the world’s first Black professional footballer. Despite his sporting prowess, he was never fully accepted and died a forgotten man. Arthur was born on 28 October 1865 in …

Norbert Rillieux – Inventor

1806-1894 – Nobert Rillieux is famous for revolutionising the sugar industry. Norbert Rillieux was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 17 March 1806. His parents were Vincent Rillieux, a white …

Thomas Jennings – Inventor

Thomas Jennings (1791-1859) Thomas Jennings was born free in New York City in 1791. In his early 20s, he became a tailor but then opened a dry-cleaning business in New York. Thomas went on to …

George Crum

The potato chip (aka crisps) was invented in 1853 by George Crum. The son of an African-American father and a Native American mother, Crum was a chef at the Moon Lake Lodge resort in …

Granville T Woods “The Black Edison”

Many professionals in the electrical industry knew Granville T Woods as the “Black Edison”. Woods was considered by many to be the greatest electrician in the world. The most well-known of …

Elijah McCoy

Elijah McCoy was born in Colchester, Ontario, Canada, on 2 May 1844. His parents were George and Emillia McCoy, former slaves from Kentucky who escaped through the Underground Railroad. George joined …

Henry Boyd – Black inventor

Henry Boyd was a skilled carpenter, born into slavery in Kentucky on 12 April 1802. At a young age, his master apprenticed Henry out to a cabinetmaker. Henry proved to have an impressive talent for …

Lewis Latimer – Inventor

Lewis Latimer is regarded as one of the ten most significant Black inventors of all time, not just for his many inventions but also for his most famous discovery. Latimer was born on 4 September …

Alice Marie Coachman – First black woman to win an Olympic gold medal

Alice Marie Coachman (born 9 November 1923 in Albany, Georgia) is an American former athlete. She specialised in the high jump and became the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal with …

Garret Morgan – Inventor of the traffic light and gas mask

Garrett Morgan possessed a rare gift of creativity that allowed him to produce outstanding inventions which have a tremendous impact on society. Garrett Morgan was born on 4 March in Paris, …

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