Francis Barber: From Slavery to the Royal Academy of Art

Backyardlabrish’s mission to ‘Celebrate, Enlighten & Preserve’ continues with another of Dr. Lumsden’s discoveries.

Francis ‘Frank’ Barber, slave to Richard Bathurst of Orange River Estate in St. Mary, Jamaica W..I was born around 1735.  In 1750 Bathurst took Frank with him to the UK, to join his son,  also Richard, a doctor in London and a close friend
of Dr Samuel Johnson, the author of:  Johnson’s English Dictionary. This pre-Oxford publication (1755) is referred to as: “the most influential in the history of the English language”. (Wikipedia)

Join us this week as we reveal information connecting the important part Francis ‘Frank’ Barber played in the publication of this historical document and his connection to the Royal Academy of Art. It’s going to be an interesting
and enlightening ‘Labrish’ for all our history lovers.