Ancient Semitic people: The Canaanites
The Canaanites were an ancient Semitic-speaking people who lived in the region known as Canaan, which encompasses modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and parts of Syria and Jordan. This region was …
People in history
Ancient Semitic people: The Akkadians
The Akkadians were an ancient Semitic-speaking people who established one of the world’s first empires in Mesopotamia. This area corresponds to present-day Iraq and parts of Syria and Turkey. …
The meaning of “Semite”
The term “Semite” carries a tapestry of historical, linguistic, and cultural significance that spans several millennia. Rooted in the ancient Near East, the concept of Semitism has evolved …
Olive Morris: A powerful advocate for Black women’s rights in Britain
Olive Morris was a political activist and key figure in the fight for black women’s rights in Britain during the 1970s. In her short life, Morris raised awareness of inequalities by travelling, …
Dora Saint aka Miss Read
Miss Read (17 April 1913 – 7 April 2012)
Miss Read was the pen name of Dora Saint, who wrote over thirty books from the mid-1950s to the mid-1990s.
Dora Jessie Shafe was born on 17 April 1913 in …
Sybil Phoenix OBE – community leader
Sybil Phoenix is a community leader who has devoted her life to helping other people, especially in Lewisham, the town she made home.
Early years
She was born Sybil Theodora Marshall on 21 June …
Rosa May Billinghurst – suffragette and women’s rights activist
Lewisham’s famous women: Rosa May Billinghurst ( 1875 – 1953)
Rosa May Billinghurst (commonly known as May Billinghurst) was born on 31 May 1875 at 35 Granville Park, Lewisham. She was the second …
Clemence Dane (Winifred Ashton) – Novelist and playwright
Lewisham’s famous women: Clemence Dane (1888-1965)
Clemence Dane was born Winifred Ashton on 21 February 1888 in Westcombe Park Road, Blackheath. In 1897, the family moved to 22 Westwood Hill, …
Eleanor Marx – socialist campaigner
Lewisham’s famous women: Eleanor Marx (1855 – 1898)
Although commonly remembered as the daughter of Karl Marx, Eleanor Marx achieved a great deal in her own right as a feminist, a socialist, a …
Marie Lloyd – music hall star
Lewisham’s famous women: Marie Lloyd (1870-1922)
Marie Lloyd is considered to be the greatest and most popular of the music hall artists. She lived for several years in Lewisham between 1887 …
Thurgood Marshall: Champion of civil rights and first African American Supreme Court Justice
Thurgood Marshall was an influential figure in American history, known for his groundbreaking work as a civil rights lawyer and the first African American Supreme Court Justice. His tireless efforts …
Colin Kaepernick and the new salute – Take the knee
This post in is honour of Colin Kaepernick and the people who are currently participating in civil rights activities to highlight the injustices around the world.
Whilst Black History Month is …