Americans in London

As part of their excellent London: A Life in Maps exhibition, the British Library is having a lecture/discussion by three American expats in London called Over Here: Americans in London, where they’ll talk about their experiences of the city and the personal maps they use. The panel is made up of Washington Post London bureau chief Mary Jordan, Visiting Professor at London University James Pfiffner and tv presenter and chef Loyd Grossman. The event is starting at 6.30pm next Monday, 5 February and tickets cost £6. The British Library is on the Euston Road very close to Kings Cross and St Pancras stations, come out of Kings Cross turn right(west) and its a couple of minutes walk.

One American I was reading about yesterday who’s long since dead but has a portrait in the National Portrait Gallery was Bill Richmond, a black slave born in New York in 1763. He was seen winning a fight in a New York tavern by the commander of the British Forces occupying the city during the American Revolution, Lord Percy. Richmond was unbeaten in fights against Redcoats organised by Percy, who later sent Richmond to England to apprentice as a cabinet maker. While in England he started prizefighting and his success earned him the nickname the ‘Black Terror’. When he was 42 he lost a ‘world title’ fight in the 76th round to 24 year old Englishman Tom Cribb, Richmond carried on fighting until he was 55. He married a wealthy woman, bought the Horse and Dolphin pub in Leicester Square and also opened a boxing academy before dying in London in December 1829 aged 66.
His portrait was painted by the English artist Robert Dighton in 1810.

For Americans planning a London or European trip Bootsnall can help with discount hostels, air tickets and travel medical insurance.