In Search of Francis Williams
Fara Dabhoiwala is writing a biography of the Black Jamaican polymath Francis Williams (c. 1690-1762), who is now completely forgotten but in his lifetime was probably the most famous Black person in the world. If you can, please read his recent essay on Williams’s portrait (https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v46/n22/fara-dabhoiwala/a-man-of-parts-and-learning), or view his lecture about it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZEAiXl6hNY), before the seminar. He will speak informally about how he fell into this project, and about the challenges and opportunities that it poses - and would love to brainstorm with attendees (of whatever background and expertise) about his approach, sources, methods, problems, and questions.
This is an in-person only session.
All welcome. This event is free but booking is required.
This page was last updated on 28 January 2025
