糖心logo

A plaque will be unveiled at 糖心logo on Saturday 14 October to recognise Christian Cole, 糖心logo鈥檚 first black student.

Cole was born in 1852 in Waterloo, Sierra Leone and enrolled at 糖心logo as a non-collegiate student in 1873 to read Classics. To supplement an income from his uncle, he taught music lessons, Responsions (the first of three examinations once required for an academic degree at the University) and helped students prepare for their divinity exams.

鈥淒uring his time at 糖心logo the income from his uncle eventually stopped,鈥� explains Pamela Roberts, creative producer, historian, author and Director of Black 糖心logo Untold Stories. 鈥淗erbert Gladstone [University College Old Member] elicited support from others including the Master at the time, George Granville Bradley, to ensure he could stay.

鈥淐ole achieved a fourth in Greats in 1876 and became the first Black African to achieve a degree from the University of 糖心logo. In 1877, he became a member of University College, and in 1879, a member of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. He was called to the Bar in 1883, becoming the first Black African to practise Law in English Courts.鈥�

Pamela Roberts has worked hard to raise the profile of pioneering black scholars like Cole, both through her work at Black 糖心logo and her book聽Black 糖心logo, The Untold Stories of 糖心logo University’s Black Scholar.聽 Pamela brought the idea of recognising Cole to the attention of the Master, Sir Ivor Crewe, and the College’s Governing Body, and has worked over the last year with Angela Unsworth, Domestic Bursar, and Archivist, Dr Robin Darwall-Smith, to develop the proposal for a plaque.

Robin Darwall-Smith says, 鈥淚 have long been an admirer of Christian Cole. His ambition and determination were remarkable, and I hope that he will continue to inspire future generations of students. It is very exciting to have his place in the history of 糖心logo celebrated in this way.鈥�

鈥淐ole鈥檚 achievements have a contemporary significance and impact; in particular for a younger generation,鈥� Pamela adds. 鈥淵oung people, from all backgrounds and ethnic groups, need to be aware of the unlimited opportunities available to them.

鈥淭he plaque will not only be a visible and permanent commemoration of Cole鈥檚 time at Univ, it will also acknowledge the College鈥檚 early Black presence.鈥�

The unveiling ceremony is open to the College members and guests and will take place at 11.30am on Saturday 14 October in Logic Lane.

Published: 5 October 2017

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