Person    | Male  Born 1729  Died 14/12/1780

Ignatius Sancho

Writer, shopkeeper and socialite. Born on a slave ship bound for the West Indies (his birth year is approximate). His first name was Charles, but he was baptised Ignatius. His mother died soon after arriving in New Granada and his father committed suicide rather than become a slave. He was brought to England by his owner and given to three sisters who gave him the name of Sancho. Befriended by John, 2nd Duke of Montagu who encouraged his education he became butler to his wife. At her death he was left an annuity and opened a shop in Westminster. He became the friend of many famous people of the time, including David Garrick and Gainsborough who painted his portrait. He was the first known Afro-Briton to have voted in a British election. His edited letters were published after his death.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Ignatius Sancho

Commemorated ati

Ignatius Sancho - SE3

Ignatius Sancho, c1729 - 1780, African man of letters, composer and opponent ...

Read More

Ignatius Sancho - SW1

Ignatius Sancho, 1729 - 1780, writer, symbol of the humanity of Africans, liv...

Read More

Other Subjects

Whitecross Street Market

Whitecross Street Market

One of London's oldest markets.  Started trading in 17th century and was known locally as "Squalors Market".  This information, on the plaque, comes from Wikipedia.  We can't add to it.

Place, Commerce

1 memorial
Major Edmund Leopold de Rothschild, CBE, TD

Major Edmund Leopold de Rothschild, CBE, TD

Financier and horticulturalist. He was born on 2 January 1916 in Westminster the second of the four children of Lionel Nathan de Rothschild (1882-1942) and Marie Louise Eugénie de Rothschild née B...

Person, Armed Forces, Commerce, Gardens / Agriculture, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Petticoat Lane Market

Petticoat Lane Market

By 1608 this street was known as Peticote Lane for the second-hand clothes, etc. which were bought and sold here, right on the boundary with the City. In about 1830 the street name was changed to M...

Place, Commerce

1 memorial
Barbara Jessie Burton

Barbara Jessie Burton

Born Sheffield. See Arnold for a photo of the 4 Burton children and details of this family.

Person, Commerce

1 memorial
Madame Tussaud

Madame Tussaud

Born in Strasbourg as Marie Grosholtz. Her mother worked for Dr Curtius, a wax modeller, who taught his skills to Marie. In the French revolution made death masks of the executed nobles and royalty...

Person, Commerce, Craft / Design, France

2 memorials