This month David Killingray and Anna Cusack explore the lives of those marginalised by society. History records the complex interweave of peoples’ lives and events. What is recorded depends on the recorders. Inevitably much has been excluded or overlooked in local history, for example, politics, women, children, religious belief, and ethnic minorities. David’s talk focusses on people of African origin and descent in British localities, 1500-1950. Anna’s talk uses crime and execution to discover marginalised individuals and their stories in eighteenth century London. 

The speakers

David Killingray is emeritus professor of modern history at Goldsmiths, and Senior Research Fellow in the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in retirement he continues to research and write on the history of Africa, the Caribbean, British localities, and the black diaspora. Recent and forthcoming publications include studies of memory and the ‘flu pandemic of 1918-19, maritime Kent, African military migrants, Sevenoaks 1790-1914, and African American Christians in 19th century Britain. 

Anna Cusack is a recent PhD holder from Birkbeck, University of London on the marginal dead of early modern London, focusing specifically on suicides, executed criminals, Quakers and Jews and the treatment of their bodily remains after death. This research was recently featured in the Times and The Telegraph. Anna co-edits the blog We Hang Out a Lot in Cemeteries.