H. C. Bankole-Bright and Politics in Colonial Sierra Leone, 1919–1958

This substantial and thoroughly documented book is a political biography of an important figure in Sierra Leone.

Akintola Wyse (Author)

9780521365154, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 15 November 1990

292 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.55 kg

"Written by Akintola J.G. Wyse, one of Sierra Leone's most prolific historians..." American Historical Review

This substantial and thoroughly documented book is a political biography of an important figure in Sierra Leone. It is also a comment on two of the major themes of the country's history - the relations between the Colony (Krio society) and the Protectorate (the earlier inhabitants of the territory) and, more importantly, the position of the imperial regime vis-á-vis its colonial subjects. The author, a Sierra Leonean and a Krio himself, skilfully examines the country's recent history through the life of Dr H. C. Bankole-Bright, an important leader of the Krio people. The Krio, descendants of the freed slaves, were the elite of Sierra Leone for more than a century, but ultimately they failed to master mass electorial politics during the period of decolonization leading to independence. Dr Bankole-Bright's failure is seen as emblematic of the disappointed hopes of the Krio as a political group in Sierra Leone. An underlying theme of the book is the misrepresentation of the Krio people in Sierra Leone historiography.

Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Growing up: background to his family and early life
2. Background to politics in the twentieth century
3. Politics in earnest: the setting up of the N.C.B.W.A., 1919–1924
4. In the Legislative Council, 1924–1939: the drama of confrontation
5. In the Legislative Council, 1924–1939: constructive opposition
6. At the crossroads: the flickering flames of Congress and the challenge of W.A.Y.L., 1936–1939
7. In the political wilderness: the turbulent years, 1939–1951
8. Second innings in Parliament: the twilight years, 1951–1957
9. Bankole-Bright and colonial politics: an assessment
Notes
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW]