The Adventures of a Black Edwardian Intellectual: The Story of James Arthur Harley

James Arthur Stanley Harley was a black polymath who attended Howard,Harvard,Yale,and Oxford universities,was ordained a priest in Canterbury Cathedral,and was elected to Leicestershire County Council. Pamela Roberts' biography reveals his hitherto unknown story from humble Antiguan childhood to elite education in Jim Crow America,the birth of the American New Negro,black scholars at Ivy League institutions,the heyday of Washington's black elite,Edwardian English society,and the Great War.

Format: Hardback
Length: 316 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Signal Books Ltd

James Arthur Stanley Harley, a remarkable individual, possessed a diverse range of talents and accomplishments. Hailing from a humble village in the Caribbean island of Antigua, he embarked on an educational journey that took him to prestigious universities such as Howard, Harvard, Yale, and Oxford. Notably, he was ordained a priest in Canterbury Cathedral and served as a choirmaster, pioneering Oxford anthropologist, country curate, and fervent councilor. What made his career truly extraordinary was the fact that he achieved all of this while being a black man in the early twentieth century, a time when institutional racism was prevalent.

Pamela Roberts, in her meticulously researched book, delves into the hitherto unknown story of Harley's life, tracing his journey from his humble Antiguan childhood to the elite education he received in Jim Crow America. The book navigates the intricate interplay of education, religion, politics, and race, showcasing how Harley's life intersected with pivotal periods and events in history. These include the birth of the American New Negro in the 1900s, the presence of black scholars at Ivy League institutions, the flourishing of Washington's black elite, the early civil rights movement, Edwardian English society, and the devastating impact of the Great War.

The biography, based on Harley's letters, sermons, writings, contemporary accounts, and later oral testimony, offers a comprehensive account of his trajectory through seven decades of dramatic social change. Roberts' work sheds light on Harley's religious conviction, which earned him admiration as a vicar and local councillor. However, he was also a complex and abrasive individual who made enemies, courted controversy, and even hinted at illicit aristocratic ancestry, possibly linked to Antigua's slave-owning past.

Harley's life, unveiled for the first time in this biography, is a tapestry of contradictions and surprises. It reveals a man who possessed both religious devotion and a penchant for controversy. His journey traversed the social and political landscapes of his time, leaving an indelible mark on the world. Through his experiences, Harley offers a poignant reflection on the complexities of identity, race, and the pursuit of education and success in a society that often posed barriers to marginalized individuals.

This captivating biography provides a fresh perspective on the life of James Arthur Stanley Harley, shedding light on his remarkable achievements and the challenges he faced throughout his extraordinary life. It is a testament to the resilience and determination of individuals who navigate the complexities of a divided world, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and educate us.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838463069