On April 17, 1758, Francis Williams—an Afro-Caribbean scholar, educator, and poet—published a collection of Latin poetry that demonstrated the intellectual power of the African diaspora during the colonial era. Born in Jamaica to formerly enslaved parents who gained freedom and wealth, Williams was educated in Britain and became one of the first known Black men in the Americas to publish works in classical Latin. His poems often reflected themes of education, racial dignity, and human reason—challenging European ideas about Black inferiority. Williams’ work remains a symbol of resistance and scholarly excellence in the face of systemic oppression.
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