Actor. Born Ira Frederick Aldridge in New York City (his date of birth is approximate). He started his acting career with the African Company in the early 1820s, but faced with racial discrimination, he emigrated to Britain in 1824. His various roles culminated with the lead in Othello. He toured extensively throughout Europe and died while in Łódź, Poland.
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:
Ira Aldridge
Anti-slavery campaigner. Born Scotland. Aged 16 emigrated to Jamaica and saw slavery first hand as a slave overseer on a sugar plantation. Returned to England 1789. Sister Jean’s husband, Thomas Ba...
Person, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Africa, Jamaica, Scotland
Co-founder and funder (with Sir Julius Wernher) of the Royal School of Mines building. Born Hamburg, learnt the diamond trade in Amsterdam and went to Kimberley where he met Wernher and Cecil Rhod...
Person, Industry, Philanthropy, Race Issues, Africa, Germany, South Africa
Tory politician. Born at Knowsley Park, Lancashire. Overcame his early boisterous jollity and three times became Prime Minister, each time a coalition caretaker between the giants: Peel and Gladsto...
Born 80 Old Broad Street, eldest son of a banker. Goaded into writing his Apologia by a criticism from Charles Kingsley published in a magazine. Established The Brompton Oratory. Died Edgbaston, B...
Statesman. Harley Street was named after him. Responsible for the creation of the South Sea company and was the first governor. This company later became a major player in the Atlantic slave trade.
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