BBC Radio London recently featured Dr. Mary L. Shannon, Senior Lecturer in English Literature and Disabilities Coordinator at University of Roehampton, to discuss her new book and an innovative schools project.
Dr. Shannon, an expert in literature and cultural history focusing on the Georgian, Regency, and Victorian periods, shared her passion for the rich cultural world of nineteenth-century London. Her research delves into the popular culture, fiction, plays, images, and press of the time.
In the interview, Dr. Shannon talked about her new book, Billy Waters Is Dancing: Or, How A Black Sailor Found Fame in Regency Britain, which was just published by Yale. The book brings to life the story of William "Billy" Waters, a renowned Black street performer in Regency London, whose contributions have been largely forgotten. Waters, a sailor and immigrant, captivated London with his talent, and Dr. Shannon's book aims to restore his place in history.
Dr. Shannon’s work was supported by the Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship and the Linda H. Peterson Fellowship from the Research Society for Victorian Periodicals, which provided the time and resources needed to conduct thorough research. This included access to various libraries and archives, as well as funding for the numerous images that help illustrate Waters' story.
Dr. Shannon's extensive research into Billy Waters' life required piecing together fragmented historical records. She explored various archives, read period literature, and examined visual and cultural artifacts, ultimately constructing a vivid picture of Waters' life and the broader context of Regency Britain.
Dr. Shannon explained, "The gaps and silences in the archives regarding Black and disability history make piecing together life stories for ordinary individuals like Waters very challenging. To tell his story, I had to innovate my research methods and become well-versed in numerous fields. My work took me to the Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum, the British Museum’s Prints and Drawings Room, and the Vaughan Williams Library at the English Folk Song and Dance Society. I delved into plays, cheap fiction, newspapers, novels, and magazines, and explored topics such as 18th-century New York, naval history, music and dance, and London history. Support from the Paul Mellon Foundation and a Houghton Library Fellowship allowed me to conduct research at the Bodleian Library and Harvard University. Drawing on the work of leading scholars in Black and Disability studies, I had to creatively piece together Waters’ life from the stories of sailors, actors, musicians, dancers, and Black communities in London and New York."
In addition to her book, Dr. Shannon also highlighted her collaborative project, "Billy Waters: Songs From the Shadows," developed with colleagues at Roehampton and Kent, musician Angeline Morrison, and artist Selena Scott. This project includes a graphic novel and musical resources for Key Stage 3 students, aimed at bringing Waters' story to life in the classroom. It builds on Dr. Shannon's background in secondary education and aims to connect students with diverse historical narratives through engaging and creative means.
The goal of Dr. Shannon's book and the schools project is to correct the historical erasure of Billy Waters, showcasing the diverse cultural history of Britain. She hopes to inspire students by reflecting a more inclusive historical narrative in their curriculum. Educators can incorporate these resources into English Literature, History, Citizenship, Music, and Drama lessons, using them to contextualize key texts, explore themes like migration and Empire, and encourage creative storytelling among students.
Dr. Shannon will also be featured on the Ed Vaisey Show on Times Radio on Friday, July 12th, at 9pm, where listeners can learn more about her fascinating work.
For more information about Dr. Shannon's work, visit:
Website: Mary L. Shannon (marylshannon.com)
Book: "Billy Waters Is Dancing" - Billy Waters is Dancing - Yale University Press London (yalebooks.co.uk)
The schools project will be released in Autumn 2024 and can be found on New Resource Coming in Autumn 2024! - Age of Revolution
Billy Waters is Dancing by Mary L Shannon, review: from sailor to celebrity dancer (telegraph.co.uk)