Oxford Bus Company has launched a new tour as part of its City Sightseeing Oxford brand to celebrate black history in the area.
Thanks to collaboration with the author of Black Oxford: Untold Stories, and award-winning producer, Pamela Roberts, the tour will reveal the “secret histories of Oxford’s black scholars”.
Among the individuals celebrated will be Christian Frederick Cole, the University of Oxford’s first black scholar and Britain’s first black barrister.
It will take place on fixed dates throughout the summer, as well as on two weekends in October to mark Black History Month.
Guides will be present on the walking stops, while Ms Roberts will narrate the bus tour.
Ms Roberts says: “The tour sets out to challenge the misconception that historically black students never studied at the University of Oxford.
“When it comes to the University of Oxford’s historic alumni, the names of Oscar Wilde, C.S. Lewis, Margaret Thatcher, Harold Wilson, and Bill Clinton are familiar to many. But what about its black scholars?
“Guests will learn about the lives of Oxford’s forgotten black community in a time of adversity. For example, James Aurther Harley, who became the first black scholar at the Pitt Rivers Museum and Kofoworola Moore, Oxford University’s first African woman scholar at St Hugh’s College.”
Luke Marion, City Sightseeing Oxford Managing Director, adds: “We’re proud to have formed such an innovative partnership that enables us to offer our customers a unique insight into Oxford’s history.
“The visitor economy is vital to the overall economic well-being of the city and the addition of this unique tour forms part of our ongoing strategy to deliver a world-class welcome to Oxford, and to showcase the diverse history of our great city.”
