Richmond, Bill (1763 – 1829)

Bill Richmond was born in Cuckold’s Town (now Richmond Town), on Staten Island, New York, on August 5, 1763, and was enslaved by Rev. Richard Carlton of St. Andrew's church. In 1777 when the English troops held New York during the revolutionary war, he served their General Earl Percy. When Percy returned to England he took young Bill.

Bill Richmond became the first black boxer to receive international recognition. He died in 1829, but in 1999 was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Read more about Bill Richmond at: https://tinyurl.com/yya3k4g2, and https://tinyurl.com/y69tbtme.

Read an extract about Bill Richmond at: https://tinyurl.com/y388bmgk and subscribe to the Oxford African American Studies Center for more.