Monday, 31 August 2015
Saturday, 29 August 2015
Richmond Unchained launch event on ITV London News
Wednesday 26 August 2015
The Richmond Unchained launch event, at which a memorial to Bill Richmond was unveiled by Earl George Percy, was featured on Wednesday night's ITV London News, in a report presented by Luke Hanrahan.
Click below to watch (flash player needed)
Friday, 28 August 2015
Earl George Percy unveils Bill Richmond tribute
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| Author Luke G. Williams and Earl George Percy with the Bill Richmond tribute (Photo Graham Rye) |
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| Author Luke G. Williams poses with a copy of Richmond Unchained (Photo Graham Rye) |
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| The Bill Richmond tribute at the Tom Cribb pub |
EARL GEORGE PERCY UNVEILS TRIBUTE
TO WORLD'S FIRST BLACK SPORTING SUPERSTAR
A permanent memorial to pioneering black boxer Bill Richmond (1763-1829) was unveiled by Earl George Percy at the Tom Cribb pub, in Panton Street, London on Wednesday 26 August 2015 at 2.3opm.
A plaque consisting of a portrait of Richmond and a summary of his amazing life and career now adorns the wall of the historic pub owned by Shepherd Neame brewery in recognition of Richmond’s position in history as the first black sportsman to achieve international fame and significance.
The unveiling took place at a launch event for Luke G. Williams’ new book Richmond Unchained: The Biography of the World’s First Black Sporting Superstar, which was published on 15 August by Amberley Books.
Born into slavery in America, Richmond travelled to England in the 1770s thanks to the kindly intervention of Earl Hugh Percy, a British soldier renowned for his humanitarianism, who ensured that Richmond received an education and was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker. It was therefore fitting that Hugh Percy’s direct descendant, Earl George Percy, unveiled this memorial to one of sporting history’s leading pioneers.
Although he only became a professional boxer in his forties, Richmond assembled an impressive record of 17 wins from 19 contests, while he was also a highly sought after trainer and gymnastic instructor. Richmond was one of the most recognisable celebrities in Georgian Britain, mixing with the likes of William Hazlitt and Lord Byron. A measure of the high regard in which he was held was the fact that he was present at the coronation celebrations of King George IV in 1821.
Author of Richmond Unchained Luke G. Williams said: "Although he was the first major black sportsman in history, Bill Richmond's amazing life, career and achievements have never been recognised with any form of public memorial. I'm delighted that this historical oversight has now been corrected. Hopefully, when future generations drink or dine at the Tom Cribb pub in the future they will see Richmond's portrait on the wall and want to find out more about this remarkable man."
Earl George Percy said: "The relationship between my ancestor and Bill was remarkable. They began life at opposite ends of the social spectrum and yet this relationship was created between them. Bill went from life as a slave to become a sporting celebrity and an usher at the coronation of George IV. It's an amazing story and he really does deserve this recognition."
Historian and broadcaster David Olusoga (a guest at the event) said: "There were a whole host of Black Georgian figures, like Bill, who were important cultural figures in the city of London a couple of hundred years ago. They have been slightly written out of history, but they were huge stars of their day and we should put them back into our national memory, back into our history."
Further details about Richmond Unchained:
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| Historian David Olusoga and author Luke G. Williams |
Click below to watch the ITV London News TV report on the Richmond Unchained launch
Further details about Richmond Unchained:
Further details about Shepherd Neame and the Tom Cribb pub:
Richmond Unchained book launch photos Part 1
| Photos courtesy of Shepherd Neame Brewery |
| The Bill Richmond tribute which now adorns the Tom Cribb pub |
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| Copies of Richmond Unchained |
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| Earl George Percy and the Bill Richmond tribute |
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| Luke G. Williams, Earl George Percy and the Bill Richmond tribute |
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| Earl Percy and the Bill Richmond tribute |
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| Historian David Olusoga and author Luke G. Williams |
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| Luke G. Williams signing copies of Richmond Unchained |
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| Luke G. Williams |
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| Earl Percy speaks to the media |
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| Earl George Percy gets his hands on a copy of Richmond Unchained |
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| Here and below - exterior views of the Tom Cribb pub |
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| Historian S.I. Martin speaking to Abdul-Karim Bilal |
Wednesday, 26 August 2015
Bill Richmond memorial to be unveiled today at Richmond Unchained book launch
Bill Richmond plaque and portrait unveiling ceremony
& ‘Richmond Unchained’ book launch
Wednesday 26 August 2015 from 2pm onwards
Wednesday 26 August 2015 from 2pm onwards
Tom Cribb Pub, 36 Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4EA
The memorial plaque and portrait of Bill Richmond (1763-1829)
will be unveiled by Earl George Percy.
will be unveiled by Earl George Percy.
Drinks and canapés will be provided
Event enquiries / media enquiries: lgw007@yahoo.com
Press release and further information (for immediate release):
LONDON PUB TO UNVEIL PLAQUE COMMEMORATING WORLD'S FIRST BLACK SPORTING SUPERSTAR
A permanent memorial to pioneering black boxer Bill Richmond (1763-1829) will be unveiled by Earl George Percy at the Tom Cribb pub, in Panton Street, London on Wednesday 26 August 2015 at 2pm.
A portrait of Richmond and a plaque summarising his amazing life and career will adorn the wall of the historic pub owned by Shepherd Neame brewery in recognition of Richmond’s position in history as the first black sportsman to achieve international fame and significance.
The unveiling will take place at a launch event for Luke G. Williams’ new book Richmond Unchained: The Biography of the World’s First Black Sporting Superstar, which is published on 15 August by Amberley Books.
Born into slavery in America, Richmond travelled to England in the 1770s thanks to the kindly intervention of Earl Hugh Percy, a British soldier renowned for his humanitarianism, who ensured that Richmond received an education and was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker. It is therefore fitting that Hugh Percy’s direct descendant, Earl George Percy, has agreed to unveil this memorial to one of sporting history’s leading pioneers.
Although he only became a professional boxer in his forties, Richmond assembled an impressive record of 17 wins from 19 contests, while he was also a highly sought after trainer and gymnastic instructor. Richmond was one of the most recognisable celebrities in Georgian Britain, mixing with the likes of William Hazlitt and Lord Byron. A measure of the high regard in which he was held was the fact that he was present at the coronation celebrations of King George IV in 1821.
Author Luke G. Williams said: “The Tom Cribb pub is a perfect location for a permanent memorial to Bill Richmond. Cribb was a champion boxer and contemporary of Richmond who was once landlord of these premises. The two men were initially rivals but eventually became firm friends and spent many evenings conversing and socialising at the pub. In fact, Richmond spent the last evening of his life with Cribb in the pub.
“I am delighted that Shepherd Neame brewery have agreed that Bill’s amazing journey from slavery to sporting superstardom should be recognised with a permanent memorial. For it to be officially unveiled by George Percy, a direct descendent of the man whose kindness transformed Bill’s life, is incredibly exciting.”
Further details about Richmond Unchained:www.billrichmond.blogspot.co.uk
https://www.amberley-books.com/richmond-unchained.html
Further details about Shepherd Neame and the Tom Cribb pub:
Monday, 24 August 2015
Richmond plaque to be unveiled this week
Bill Richmond plaque and portrait unveiling ceremony
& ‘Richmond Unchained’ book launch
Wednesday 26 August 2015 from 2pm onwards
Wednesday 26 August 2015 from 2pm onwards
Tom Cribb Pub, 36 Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4EA
The memorial plaque and portrait of Bill Richmond (1763-1829)
will be unveiled by Earl George Percy.
will be unveiled by Earl George Percy.
Drinks and canapés will be provided
Event enquiries / media enquiries: lgw007@yahoo.com
Press release and further information (for immediate release):
LONDON PUB TO UNVEIL PLAQUE COMMEMORATING WORLD'S FIRST BLACK SPORTING SUPERSTAR
A permanent memorial to pioneering black boxer Bill Richmond (1763-1829) will be unveiled by Earl George Percy at the Tom Cribb pub, in Panton Street, London on Wednesday 26 August 2015 at 2pm.
A portrait of Richmond and a plaque summarising his amazing life and career will adorn the wall of the historic pub owned by Shepherd Neame brewery in recognition of Richmond’s position in history as the first black sportsman to achieve international fame and significance.
The unveiling will take place at a launch event for Luke G. Williams’ new book Richmond Unchained: The Biography of the World’s First Black Sporting Superstar, which is published on 15 August by Amberley Books.
Born into slavery in America, Richmond travelled to England in the 1770s thanks to the kindly intervention of Earl Hugh Percy, a British soldier renowned for his humanitarianism, who ensured that Richmond received an education and was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker. It is therefore fitting that Hugh Percy’s direct descendant, Earl George Percy, has agreed to unveil this memorial to one of sporting history’s leading pioneers.
Although he only became a professional boxer in his forties, Richmond assembled an impressive record of 17 wins from 19 contests, while he was also a highly sought after trainer and gymnastic instructor. Richmond was one of the most recognisable celebrities in Georgian Britain, mixing with the likes of William Hazlitt and Lord Byron. A measure of the high regard in which he was held was the fact that he was present at the coronation celebrations of King George IV in 1821.
Author Luke G. Williams said: “The Tom Cribb pub is a perfect location for a permanent memorial to Bill Richmond. Cribb was a champion boxer and contemporary of Richmond who was once landlord of these premises. The two men were initially rivals but eventually became firm friends and spent many evenings conversing and socialising at the pub. In fact, Richmond spent the last evening of his life with Cribb in the pub.
“I am delighted that Shepherd Neame brewery have agreed that Bill’s amazing journey from slavery to sporting superstardom should be recognised with a permanent memorial. For it to be officially unveiled by George Percy, a direct descendent of the man whose kindness transformed Bill’s life, is incredibly exciting.”
Further details about Richmond Unchained:www.billrichmond.blogspot.co.uk
https://www.amberley-books.com/richmond-unchained.html
Further details about Shepherd Neame and the Tom Cribb pub:
Richmond Unchained reviews
Now that Richmond Unchained has been published reviews have started to appear on Amazon.co.uk. Thankfully the first two have been positive! Check them out! And if you happen to enjoy Richmond Unchained please post a review if you can - it really helps promote the book and get Bill's name out there!
Also feel free to email me at lgw007@yahoo.com with any questions or comments about the book.
Monday, 17 August 2015
BBC London 94.9 Interview with Robert Elms
14 August 2015
On Friday I had the pleasure of appearing on Robert Elms' long-running and highly respected radio show on BBC London 94.9 to discuss my book Richmond Unchained. The programme can be accessed via the below link - my interview begins around the 36-minute mark.
Wednesday, 12 August 2015
Richmond Unchained on TKO boxing podcast
I had the pleasure of appearing this week on TKO Radio's regular boxing podcast to discuss my book Richmond Unchained, which is published on Saturday.
The programme can be accessed via the below links, as well as via iTunes and other digital platforms. Indeed, I highly recommend that you don't only listen to the Richmond Unchained episode but other past episodes of this excellent podcast as well, which include interviews with Mikkel Kessler among many others.
TKO Radio Richmond Unchained podcast
TKO Radio Itunes index
Monday, 3 August 2015
Richmond Unchained media round-up
12 August 2015
30 July 2015
Richmond Unchained has been named as one of the 'top book picks' of the week by The National newspaper, the United Arab Emirates' leading English-language publication.
I had the pleasure of appearing on TKO Radio's regular boxing podcast to discuss my book Richmond Unchained. The programme can be accessed via the below links, as well as via iTunes and other digital platforms. Indeed, I highly recommend that you don't only listen to the Richmond Unchained episode but other past episodes of this excellent podcast as well, which include interviews with Mikkel Kessler among many others.
July and August 2015: Richmond Unchained launch event
The news of the launch event for Richmond Unchained
- incorporating the unveiling of a memorial plaque and portrait of
Richmond at the Tom Cribb pub in London - has been picked up by numerous
news outlets, including as far afield as the Philippines!
8 July 2015: Boxing Monthly Website
The Boxing Monthly website has now re-published by Bill Richmond feature online.
May 2015: Boxing Monthly Magazine
The
May issue of the leading boxing publication featured a four-page
article on Bill Richmond's life and career to tie in with the upcoming
release of Richmond Unchained.
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