The School of History, Classics, and Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh are proud to host the 20th annual Fennell Lecture, generously supported by alumnus Simon Fennell. The hybrid event will be delivered live in St Cecilia’s Hall, Edinburgh, by Professor Marlene Daut, University of Virginia, entitled ‘The Kingdom of Haiti and the Age of Revolution’. Marlene Daut is currently a Professor of African Diaspora Studies in the Carter G. Woodson Institute and the Program in American Studies at the University of Virginia.

This talk presents the little-known history of heroism and strife, triumph, and betrayal that characterizes the story of the first, last, and only king of Haiti, Henry Christophe I. Born to an enslaved mother on the island of Grenada, he first fought to overthrow the British in North America, before helping his fellow enslaved Africans in Saint-Domingue, as Haiti was then called, to gain their freedom from France. Yet in an incredible twist of fate, at one time, Christophe ended up fighting with Napoleon’s forces against the very enslaved men and women he had previously fought alongside. Later, reuniting with the famous armée indigène that liberated and declared Haiti independent in 1804, he offered to lead them and made himself their king. But it all came to a sudden and tragic end when after only thirteen years of ruling, King Henry shot himself in the heart, some say with a silver bullet.

At the end of the discussion, Marlene Daut will take questions from the audience.

Please note:

This event will take place at the following times dependent on the time zone:

• 5.30 p.m. (GMT) virtually
• 12:30 p.m.(Eastern Time) virtually
• 11.30 p.m. (Central Time) virtually
• 09.30 a.m. (Pacific Time) virtually

If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact the organizer at [email protected]

This event may be recorded for promotional or recruitment materials for the University and University-approved third parties. If you do not want to be in the recordings, please contact the organizer at [email protected]. Any written questions or comments may be subject to Freedom of Information legislation.

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If you would like to submit a question in advance, please send it directly to [email protected]

Registration

Time: 11:00 — 12:30 EST

Free!