Black Loyalists and the Clarkson Papers

During the American Revolutionary War (1775 – 1783) British commanders offered freedom to enslaved people who escaped American enslavement to join the British. Those who fled to British lines became known as Black Loyalists. Upon Britain’s defeat several thousand Black Loyalists were evacuated to Nova Scotia and from there many migrated to West Africa to establish the new colony of Sierra Leone. Curator Alexander Lock discusses the Library’s Clarkson Papers and what they reveal about the American Revolution, the Black Loyalists and this historic migration.

Stamps of the American Revolution

The Stamp Act of 1765 was a vital catalyst in the journey to American Independence. Curator Richard Morel shines a spotlight on these stamps including some recently discovered in the Library’s collection.

Alexander Lock
Alexander Lock is Lead Curator of North American Collections at the British Library.

Richard Scott Morel
Richard Scott Morel is Curator of the British Library’s Philatelic Collections.