Christian Cole

Born in 1852 in Waterloo, Sierra Leone, he enrolled at University of Oxford as a non-collegiate student in 1873 to study Classics. His tuition fees were funded by offering music lessons, helping students prepare for exams, and supplemented by his uncle. During his time at the University, the income from his uncle eventually stopped which prompted Herbert Gladstone, an alumnus, to garner support from others to ensure he could stay.

Christian graduated in 1876 and became the first Black African to achieve a degree from the University of Oxford. The following year, he became a member of University College, and he was called to the Bar in 1883, becoming the first Black African to practise Law in English Courts. A plaque was installed on Logic Lane at University College to commemorate this milestone. Having already disrupted the status quo by setting an example for what Black scholars could achieve at the University, he also wrote poetry as an advocate for Black lives. Here is an extract from the 19-stanza poem, ‘Reflections’ (September 1879):

Reference - Black History Month, 1879