Brian Ward: Before Martin Luther King – Frederick Douglass and Abolitionism in the North East

Brian is Professor in American Studies at Northumbria University and author of ten books, including Martin Luther King in Newcastle Upon Tyne. His talk on Martin Luther King’s visit to Newcastle was a highlight of our 2019 festival. This year his talk will focus on Frederick Douglass, a slave whose freedom was purchased by Newcastle Quakers, before considering other African American visitors to the North East who made the region a hub of 19th Century anti-slavery activism and who paved the way for Dr. King’s historic 1967 visit.

This session is presented in association with the Berwick Educational Association (click for further information)

Brian is Northumbria University’s first Professor in American Studies. Previously, he held the Chair in American Studies at the University of Manchester (2006-2012), served as Head of the Department of History at the University of Florida (2000-2006), and taught at the Universities of Newcastle upon Tyne (1991-2000) and Durham (1990-91). He is currently Chair of the British Association for American Studies.

Brian’s internet book sales page is tiny.cc/mlkinnewcastle 

 www.twitter.com/BrianWard222