It seems that we are in good company too, as few know that two of the 20th Centrurys most important and influential political and ideological leaders lived in the area... In this post we will cover the first of these leaders, Marcus Garvey.
If you happen to pass along the busy Talgarth Road, between West Kensington and Barons Court tube stations, you would be forgiven for missing the blue plaque fixed high on the imposing exterior of number 52. This plaque commemorates the London home of Marcus Garvey, Pan-Africanist and Rastafarian prophet.
This influential figure was born in Jamaica in 1887and was politically active at the beginning of the 20th century. He argued for people of African ancestry outside of the continent to "redeem" Africa from the European colonial powers that occupied much of the continent. This Pan-African philosophy was know as Garveyism.
He later became Jamaica's first National Hero and although he wasn't an Rastafarian himself he became an important Ratstafarian prophet. His thinking greatly influenced Rastafarian philosophy and he is often mentioned in popular Reggae music.
The second world leader will be revealed soon in part two...
This is really interesting - you must know your area! I wish all estate agents were this well informed.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom! Part 2 of this posting is coming soon, then we will be revealing many more blue plaques in other areas that we cover, such as- Notting Hill, Bayswater, Kensington, Marylebone and Pimlico. Keep checking back for updates!
ReplyDeleteWow! There has just been a very interesting program on BBC Radio 4 on none other than Marcus Garvey!
ReplyDeleteCheck it out below for a much more detailed look at this important historical figure:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00y2d8c
It's number 53 not 52
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