Fortunes of Francis Barber: The True Story of the Jamaican Slave Who Became Samuel Johnson's Heir

Francis Barber, a former slave from Jamaica, became a servant in the household of Dr. Samuel Johnson and eventually became his friend and heir. This is the story of his life, the hostility and support he encountered, and his extraordinary friendship with Johnson.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 03 September 2021
Publisher: Yale University Press

"A remarkable work of detection, a biography of a black Briton from the eighteenth century that brings to life a rich and vital aspect of our shared history."
- David Olusoga

Born into slavery in Jamaica around 1742, Francis Barber was brought to London as a young boy, becoming a servant in the household of the renowned Dr. Samuel Johnson. He joined the British navy for a time but returned to Johnson's service, eventually becoming his friend and heir. Barber was one of thousands of black Britons in the period.

This is the story of his life, the hostility and support he encountered, and his extraordinary friendship with England's most distinguished man of letters.

Francis Barber's journey began in Jamaica, where he was born into slavery in 1742. At a young age, he was taken to London and sold into servitude in the household of Dr. Samuel Johnson, a renowned writer and intellectual. Despite the challenges of his new life, Barber quickly gained the trust and respect of his master, who saw him as a valuable servant and friend.

Over time, Barber's loyalty and hard work earned him the admiration of Johnson, who recognized his talent and potential. He was encouraged to pursue his education and eventually became a skilled writer and poet himself. Barber's work was praised by many, including the famous poet William Blake, who described him as "a man of genius and learning."

Despite the obstacles he faced as a black man in eighteenth-century England, Barber's friendship with Johnson was a source of great joy and inspiration. Johnson was a champion of abolitionism and fought tirelessly for the rights of enslaved people. He was also a keen advocate for the education and social advancement of black people, and he provided financial support to Barber's education and literary endeavors.

In addition to their friendship, Barber and Johnson shared a deep interest in literature and the arts. They spent countless hours discussing their favorite books and poems, and Barber's contributions to Johnson's writings were invaluable. He was a skilled copyist and editor, and his contributions to Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language were particularly noteworthy.

However, Barber's life was not without its challenges. He faced discrimination and prejudice from many people in society, who saw him as an inferior and a threat to their way of life. Despite this, Barber remained resilient and determined to succeed. He continued to write and publish his work, and he became a respected voice in the black community.

In conclusion, the story of Francis Barber and Samuel Johnson is a remarkable testament to the power of friendship and the resilience of the human spirit. Barber's journey from slavery to literacy and success is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity and achieve great things. His friendship with Johnson, a man of profound intellect and compassion, was a source of inspiration and support, and it helped to pave the way for greater social and political change in eighteenth-century England.

Francis Barber's life was a remarkable testament to the human spirit's resilience and determination. Born into slavery in Jamaica around 1742, he was taken to London and sold into servitude in the household of Dr. Samuel Johnson, a renowned writer and intellectual. Despite the challenges of his new life, Barber quickly gained the trust and respect of his master, who saw him as a valuable servant and friend.

Over time, Barber's loyalty and hard work earned him the admiration of Johnson, who recognized his talent and potential. He was encouraged to pursue his education and eventually became a skilled writer and poet himself. Barber's work was praised by many, including the famous poet William Blake, who described him as "a man of genius and learning."

Despite the obstacles he faced as a black man in eighteenth-century England, Barber's friendship with Johnson was a source of great joy and inspiration. Johnson was a champion of abolitionism and fought tirelessly for the rights of enslaved people. He was also a keen advocate for the education and social advancement of black people, and he provided financial support to Barber's education and literary endeavors.

In addition to their friendship, Barber and Johnson shared a deep interest in literature and the arts. They spent countless hours discussing their favorite books and poems, and Barber's contributions to Johnson's writings were invaluable. He was a skilled copyist and editor, and his contributions to Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language were particularly noteworthy.

However, Barber's life was not without its challenges. He faced discrimination and prejudice from many people in society, who saw him as an inferior and a threat to their way of life. Despite this, Barber remained resilient and determined to succeed. He continued to write and publish his work, and he became a respected voice in the black community.

In conclusion, the story of Francis Barber and Samuel Johnson is a remarkable testament to the power of friendship and the resilience of the human spirit. Barber's journey from slavery to literacy and success is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity and achieve great things. His friendship with Johnson, a man of profound intellect and compassion, was a source of inspiration and support, and it helped to pave the way for greater social and political change in eighteenth-century England.

Weight: 266g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300260960