“… fears no man, and brooks no insult because of the race to which he is proud belong .”

African American civil rights activist WEB Du Bois, remarking on John Archer winning the election to become Mayor of Battersea in 1913.

Written to celebrate London ’s first Black mayor, The Story of John Archer hopes that it honours the life and legacy of one of Britain’s Black Heroes. A lifelong champion of those neglected and mistreated by society, John Archer ’s worldview and sense of so cial justice was shaped from a very young age , given that he grew up in the shadow of Liverpool’s Brownlow Hill workhouse. Such an early re ckoning with inequality and disenfranchisement left a permanent mark, leading John to dedicate his life to fighting for justice , and h is political career seeing him take on racism (both at home and abroad) , the demonisation of the poor, and bigotry in the criminal justice system. With values rooted in Pan – Africanism, and a loyal friend and confidante to such notable fi gure s as Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Jane Roberts, Ida B Wells and WEB DuBois, John Archer never stopped striving for self – determination across the African Diaspora. While John once had to remind the British press that he was born “in a little obscure villag e in England probably never herd of until now – the city of Liverpool,” h is legacy can still be seen in the very foundations of today’s Battersea, and we are incredibly proud that we are able to stand on his shoulders. 

Jennifer Farmer –  September 2021