Edward Long’s Libel of Africa: The Foundation of British Racism

This book examines the catalyst role of Edward Long in the development of doctrines of British and European racial supremacy in the critical last quarter of the 18th century through his three volume History of Jamaica published in London in 1774. Long, with acrid vehemence, denigrated and libelled Africa, Africans and people of African ancestry. It was a work of race vilification which today is still unfortunately the creed of many, and which still has ramifications in Britain today, exemplified by the unjust and unfair treatment of many black people.