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Shepperson, George, 1922-2020 (Professor of Commonwealth and American History)

 Person

Staff Only

Dates

  • Existence: 1922 - 2020

Biography

George Albert “Sam” Shepperson was born in Peterborough, Northamptonshire in 1922. He received his early education at King's School, Peterborough, before advancing to St. John's College, Cambridge. His studies were interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the Northamptonshire Regiment and was seconded to the King's African Rifles, seeing action in East Africa, India, and Burma from 1942 to 1946. His wartime experiences, particularly with a Nyasa battalion in Burma, left an indelible mark on him, fostering a lifelong connection with Africa and its peoples. He became fluent in Chinyanja and developed a profound respect for Malawi and its history.

Upon returning to civilian life, Shepperson completed his history degree and joined the University of Edinburgh as a Lecturer in Imperial and American History in 1948. He became a Senior Lecturer in 1960, a Reader in 1961, and finally, in 1963 he was appointed to the William Robertson Chair of Commonwealth and American History. His courses became renowned, inspiring many students who would go on to become prominent authorities in their fields. He retired in 1986.

Shepperson's scholarly contributions were vast and influential. His seminal work, Independent African: John Chilembwe and the Origins, Setting, and Significance of the Nyasaland Native Rising 1915, co-authored with Tom Price and first published in 1958, remains a cornerstone in the study of African nationalism. This work was pivotal in cementing John Chilembwe's status as a key figure in African history and is still regarded as one of the most comprehensive studies on Malawian nationalism. Throughout his career, Shepperson remained a committed advocate for African independence, particularly for Malawi. He also authored David Livingstone and the Rovuma in 1964, among many other significant publications.

His expertise and passion for African history led him to numerous prestigious visiting professorships, including stints at Roosevelt and Chicago Universities in 1959, Makerere College in Uganda in 1962, Dalhousie University from 1968 to 1969, and Rhode Island College in 1984. These roles further solidified his reputation as a leading scholar of African and American history.

Shepperson was instrumental in curating two University of Edinburgh Library's exhibitions, "A Miscellany of Americana" in 1963 and "A Miscellany of Africana" in 1966, which significantly enhanced the university's status in Americanist and Africanist studies. His efforts also included generous donations of books and papers, enriching the library's resources and inspiring others to contribute. He was a founding member of the Friends of the University Library in 1962, serving multiple terms on its committee.

George Albert Shepperson passed away on 2 April 2020, at the age of 98, in Peterborough, UK. His legacy is one of profound scholarly impact and passionate advocacy for African history and culture.

Sources:
- "Emeritus Professor George Albert Shepperson, C. B. E., B. A., M. A., Hon. D. Univ. Edinburgh, Dr. h. c. York, D. Litt. h. c. Malawi, F. E. I. S.: 7th January 1922 – 2nd April 2020." The Society of Malawi Journal, vol. 73, no. 1, 2020, pp. vi–vi. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/26978866. [Accessed 29 July 2024]
- [N.d.]. "George Albert Shepperson", Ed.ac.uk, https://www.docs.is.ed.ac.uk/docs/lib-archive/bgallery/Gallery/records/nineteen2/shepperson.html [Accessed 29 July 2024]

Found in 53 Collections and/or Records:

African Studies: papers relating to [Black people], 1896-1971

 File — Box CLX-A-23: Series Coll-490/20; Series Coll-490/21
Identifier: Coll-490/20/1
Scope and Contents File entitled "African Studies - Papers relating to [Black People]" (the original term, used until the late 1960s, is no longer appropriate to refer to people of black African origin. Outdated terms are used throughout the file).1-2. Correspondence (copies): Sir Harry Johnstone, HM Commissioner for British Central Africa, London, and Dr J. Albert Thorne, Edinburgh. Concerns a plan by Dr Thorne to establish a settlement of West Indian Negroes in Central Africa. 12 and 16 November...
Dates: 1896-1971
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Papers and Correspondence of Professor George Albert Shepperson / File 20

Book review by George Shepperson, c 1964

 File — Box CLX-A-17: Series Coll-490/8; Series Coll-490/9
Identifier: Coll-490/9/3
Scope and Contents

Book Review by George Shepperson of: Britain and Nyasaland by G. B. Jones.

Dates: c 1964
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Papers and Correspondence of Professor George Albert Shepperson / File 9: Nyasaland and Nyasaland Protectorate

C. L. R. James, 1963-1968

 File — Box CLX-A-24: Series Coll-490/22; Series Coll-490/23
Identifier: Coll-490/23/CLRJ
Scope and Contents C. L. R. (Cyril Lionel Robert) James - Correspondence, Speeches, Bibliography. Letter from C. L. R. James to Professor George Shepperson, Edinburgh. He talks of his project to write memoirs of George Padmore, and thanks George Shepperson for his review of his writing. He believes a good review is valuable and this one had a great effect among the people of the University of Ibadan. At present, he is...
Dates: 1963-1968
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Papers and Correspondence of Professor George Albert Shepperson / File 23

Chilembwe letters, c 1965 (copies of material dated 1900-1915)

 File — Box CLX-A-20: Series Coll-490/14; Series Coll-490/15
Identifier: Coll-490/14/4
Scope and Contents This file contains Chilembwe letters dating from 1900 to 1915 (copies). Letters in the Zomba Archives (9) (with covering letter, 17 March 1965). Writers: Chilembwe, Peters, Bismarck. Includes Minutes of the National Industrial Union Meetings, 15 June 1909 and 14 August 1909. Letters from British East Africa. Sent as 'News from the Field' to the National Baptist Foreign Mission Board of...
Dates: c 1965 (copies of material dated 1900-1915)
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Papers and Correspondence of Professor George Albert Shepperson / File 14: Material relating to John Chilembwe and the Chilembwe Rising

Conference on Commonwealth and American History, 1986-1987

 File — Box CLX-A-16: Series Coll-490/6; Series Coll-490/7; Series Coll-490/8
Identifier: Coll-490/8/3
Scope and Contents Conference on Commonwealth and American History: the making of constitutions and the development of National Identity. McKewan Hall, Edinburgh, 3-6 July 1987.Letter: Julius K. Nyerere accepts invitation to the conference. Tanzania, 9 April 1986.Newspaper cutting: Julius K. Nyerere to return to Edinburgh for the 'Constitution Conference' in tribute to Professor George Shepperson.List: conference participants.Programme: - Opening Address:...
Dates: 1986-1987
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Papers and Correspondence of Professor George Albert Shepperson / File 8: Material relating to Julius Nyerere

Correspondence between George Shepperson and Emily Booth Langworthy, her daughter-in-law Esther and her son Harry, 1913 (copy), 1950-1971

 File
Identifier: Coll-210/2/5
Scope and Contents

Correspondence between George Shepperson and Emily Booth Langworthy, her daughter-in-law Esther and her son Harry, concerning Joseph Booth and letters and other items kept by the Langworthys. Most original Booth items were removed by Shepperson and filed separately, but the material includes a copy of a 1913 letter commending Booth and the British Christian Union.

Dates: 1913 (copy), 1950-1971
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Papers relating to Joseph Booth and family / Research correspondence and material of George Shepperson

Correspondence concerning the John W. Moir papers, 1935-1980

 Series — Box CLX-A-25: Series Coll-490/24; Series Coll-490/25
Identifier: Coll-490/24/JWM
Scope and Contents 1. Letter from John W. Moir, Edinburgh. Addressed 'Dear Friend'. He describes a visit to Mwatyusa's village near the north end of Lake Nyasa and theelephant hunt that took place on the following day. This was requested by the Chief because the beasts had been damaging the gardens and tearing down their banana trees. March 1935.2. Letter from John W. Moir, Edinburgh. Addressed 'Dear Friend'. When John Moir and his brother first went out to Africa in 1877, the slave trade was 'a...
Dates: 1935-1980
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Papers and Correspondence of Professor George Albert Shepperson / File 24

Correspondence – D. K. Chisiza, 1956-1972

 File — Box CLX-A-23: Series Coll-490/20; Series Coll-490/21
Identifier: Coll-490/21/4
Scope and Contents Correspondence, Pamphlets, Cuttings – Chisiza. Letter D. K. Chisiza, Blantyre, to George Shepperson, Edinburgh. Expresses his appreciation of what George Shepperson has done for African Nationalism, asks for pamphlets and photographs. Nyasaland African Congress is prepared to pay. 28 October 1956. Letter George Shepperson to D. K. Chisiza Encloses a copy of the article for which Chisiza...
Dates: 1956-1972
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Papers and Correspondence of Professor George Albert Shepperson / File 21

Correspondence: Dr Banda, Professor Shepperson and others, 1952-1977

 File — Box CLX-A-19: Series Coll-490/12; Series Coll-490/13
Identifier: Coll-490/12/8C
Scope and Contents Correspondence: Dr Banda, Professor Shepperson and others.1. Letter: Thomas Price, Glasgow, to George Shepperson, Edinburgh. He thanks George Shepperson for the transcript of Banda's contribution to origins. Considers it will need a good deal of support "before it becomes plausible". It raises various questions about the "Movement" and leaves the feeling that Banda is a bit confused over sequence. 28 February 1952.2. George Shepperson to the Rev H B. Make,...
Dates: 1952-1977
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Papers and Correspondence of Professor George Albert Shepperson / File 12: Correspondence relating to Dr Hastings K. Banda

Correspondence: George Shepperson with Orton and Vera Chirwa, 1952-1971

 File — Box CLX-A-23: Series Coll-490/20; Series Coll-490/21
Identifier: Coll-490/21/3
Scope and Contents Correspondence: George Shepperson with Orton and Vera Chirwa. Letter from Orton Chirwa to George Shepperson. He thanks Mr Shepperson for the monograph on John Chilembwe and assures him that he is doing his best to gather more material. Names some who may help their research and complete the picture from the African viewpoint. Gives an unfavourable description of the European settler of 1910. Chirwa...
Dates: 1952-1971
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Papers and Correspondence of Professor George Albert Shepperson / File 21