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Thomas Birch Freeman
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This picture showcases a British ship sailing to the western coast of Africa. This is important to the life of Thomas Birch Freeman because he had taken a ship similar to this one many times during his journeys to this section of Africa.
This picture shows the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. I thought that this was important to show due to the differences in cultures between Britain and the kingdoms in Western Africa. Freeman chose to leave a life, where he had a higher status to pursue his and the church’s goals.
This picture displays a meeting between a leader in Africa by people outside of this continent. This is important to note because Freeman met regularly with Leaders of the kingdoms that he visited to create a good relationship with the individuals with power.
Images: Catalogue
This piece showcases a ceremonial blade often given to as gifts by people of power in the 18th and 19th centuries in Ghana. This is important to the life of Freeman because of the trust that he was able to earn from the leaders of the lands that he visited and even though physical harm and even death could have been brought upon him, he kept pushing forward toward his goal.
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This piece shows a portrait of flowers and fruit. This is important to Freeman because he is known as Britain’s first Black botanist, and this was his passion growing up. It also led him to lead the life that he wanted.
This drawing shows Orwell Park which was occupied by Sir Robert Harland. This is the property that Freeman worked at for a good portion of his life until he abandoned his old religion for Wesleyan Methodism.
Images: Catalogue
I find this image to be extremely interesting and able to be interpreted in many ways. I view this as displaying a hectic time in Africa during this period. Many countries were trying to take over and influence the African culture and it seems as if many were left not knowing how to respond to the people coming to their land.
This is a photo that showcases the power and greed of Britain at the time. The leaders of this country sought power and had Freeman become a diplomat when meeting with African Kingdom officials.
This portrait is of Thomas Birch Freeman. The interesting thing about his portraits, which are few, is that they all look a bit different. It makes me wonder what he looked like and which artist did the best to encapsulate his image in their work.
Images: Catalogue
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