Person    | Male  Born 1729  Died 14/12/1780

Ignatius Sancho

Writer, shopkeeper and socialite. Born on a slave ship bound for the West Indies (his birth year is approximate). His first name was Charles, but he was baptised Ignatius. His mother died soon after arriving in New Granada and his father died by suicide rather than become a slave. He was brought to England by his owner and given to three sisters who gave him the name of Sancho. Befriended by John, 2nd Duke of Montagu who encouraged his education he became butler to his wife. At her death he was left an annuity and opened a shop in Westminster. He became the friend of many famous people of the time, including David Garrick and Gainsborough who painted his portrait. He was the first known Afro-Briton to have voted in a British election. His edited letters were published after his death.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Ignatius Sancho

Commemorated ati

Ignatius Sancho - SE3

Ignatius Sancho, c1729 - 1780, African man of letters, composer and opponent ...

Read More

Ignatius Sancho - SW1

Ignatius Sancho, 1729 - 1780, writer, symbol of the humanity of Africans, liv...

Read More

Other Subjects

Fortune of War pub

Fortune of War pub

The Golden Boy was originally attached to the front of this public-house and remains to mark the site. From 'The Italian Boy' by Sarah Wise we learnt that this pub was originally called The Naked ...

Building, Commerce

1 memorial
Alexander Hay

Alexander Hay

Founded Hay's Wharf in 1651.

Person, Commerce

1 memorial
Lloyds TSB Group

Lloyds TSB Group

In 1765 John Taylor and Sampson Lloyd set up a private banking business in Birmingham. In 1810, the Reverend Henry Duncan of Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire, set up a bank to help his poorest parishioners...

Group, Commerce

1 memorial