Richmond Unchained media blitz!

 

 In the wake of the Richmond Unchained book launch on 26 August there has been a wide variety of coverage of the book both online and in other media.

For a full rundown of all the book's media appearances, check out the Media page on this blog!

Richmond Unchained in The Independent and i Newspaper

An article I wrote about Bill Richmond and my book Richmond Unchained featured over three pages as The Independent newspaper's 'Big Read' feature on Thursday 27 August - appropriately enough this was just a day after the Richmond Unchained launch event at the Tom Cribb pub.

Bill Richmond completists should also be aware that an alternative version of the feature also appeared in the i Newspaper the same day (a concise version of The Independent), with different illustrations and an alternative headline.

Scans of the articles are below, while you can also click here to view the online version of the story

Richmond Unchained launch photos part 2

Photos courtesy of Graham Rye

The exterior of the Tom Cribb pub

Another exterior view of the Tom Cribb

The Richmond tribute - pre-unveiling!

Author Luke G. Williams and Earl George Percy

Author Luke G. Williams signs copies of Richmond Unchained

Earl George Percy, Arthur Landon and Luke G. Williams

The Bill Richmond tribute on the wall of the Tom Cribb pub

Author Luke G. Williams poses with a copy of Richmond Unchained

Luke G. Williams signing copies of Richmond Unchained

Luke G. Williams with Brian Moore

Earl George Percy unveils Bill Richmond tribute

Author Luke G. Williams and Earl George Percy with the Bill Richmond tribute (Photo Graham Rye)

Author Luke G. Williams poses with a copy of Richmond Unchained (Photo Graham Rye)

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."

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:

www.billrichmond.blogspot.co.uk
https://www.amberley-books.com/richmond-unchained.html

Further details about Shepherd Neame and the Tom Cribb pub:

http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/
http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs/london/tom-cribb

London pub to unveil memorial to Bill Richmond

It has been a dream of mine for many years to ensure a permanent memorial to Bill Richmond and his amazing life. Now, thanks to the cooperation of Shepherd Neame brewery and Earl George Percy, I am delighted to announce the details of the following event ... Luke G. Williams, 16 July 2015

Bill Richmond plaque and portrait unveiling ceremony
& ‘Richmond Unchained’ book launch
Wednesday 26 August 2015 from 2pm-3pm

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.

Drinks and canapés will be provided

Nearest tube stations: Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Charing Cross

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:
http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/
http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs/london/tom-cribb