Laurence Westgaph

Laurence Westgaph (born Febrary 28, 1975), is a British historian and television presenter, specialising in British black history and slavery.

Early years and education

Westgaph was born in Liverpool in 1975 to a mother of Nigerian descent and a Jamaican father. He grew up in the inner city area of Toxteth, with his father returning to the West Indies when he was a baby. His ancestors also hail from Barbados.

In 2008 Westgaph completed a Masters at in Atlantic History at Liverpool University.

Media work

Westgraph has appeared in a number of BBC TV and radio programmes. He worked on Inside Out and worked with Melvin Bragg on the programme The Routes of English, discussing slavery. He was part of a team who made a series for the History Channel in 2008 called 50 Things You Need To Know About British History. However it faced criticism for failing to include the likes of Winston Churchill and Queen Victoria. Westgaph also filmed a documentary for the History Channel titled "Britain's Slavery Secrets", examining the slave trade's contribution to Britain.

Personal life

He lives with his mother in Edge Hill, Liverpool. He had a relationship with Natalie Inge and they have a child.