A commemorative plaque has been unveiled at Dr Samuel Johnson's London townhouse in honour of Francis Barber, Britain's first known black schoolteacher. Barber was the servant, friend, and heir of the 18th Century lexicographer, Samuel Johnson.
The ceremony at Gough Square off Fleet Street also marked the launch of a redesigned and more inclusive City of London Blue Plaques Scheme. This unveiling coincided with the 150th anniversary of the City's oldest plaque, which was dedicated to Johnson at the same site.
Barber, who was born into slavery on a Jamaican plantation, came to London as a child and lived at Johnson's townhouse from 1752 to 1756. He later established a career as a schoolteacher near Lichfield in Staffordshire.
The City of London Corporation stated that its new plaque scheme has been redesigned to "provide a modern, transparent, and inclusive process." This includes a new online application form and an advisory panel of experts to assess applications.