George Chichester

George Chichester

George Chichester is a recurring character in the FX original drama Taboo, portrayed by Lucian Msamati.

Background

George Chichester is a member of The Sons of Africa. Working selflessly and tirelessly alongside abolitionist groups, in the pursuit of justice.

Appearance and Personality

George Chichester is a man of African origin in his forties. Dressed smartly, wearing a pair of glasses with metal frame on the tip of his nose. Chichester is an idealist who tries to fight injustice in all its forms, without thinking about the social status of the perpetrators of such wrongdoings.

History

For nine years since 1805, on an annual basis every July 10th, Chichester wrote to the office of Solomon Coop, demanding that justice was done about the sinking of The Influence. Looking for Sir Stuart Strange's Achilles heel, Mr. Coop finally decided to receive Chichester, who introduced himself as spokesman of the "Sons of Africa," reporting to the Secretary of the Kingdom that the East India Company was responsible for the sinking and illegal trafficking of slaves. (Episode 5)

Having recounted Mr. Benjamin Wilton and Edmund Pettifer of his travels in Egypt, Chichester informed both men about his investigations on the wreck of the ship known as "The Influence", and how he had discovered that this ship was secretly and illegally used to transport a cargo of slaves. His investigations were supported by a document signed by the Prince Regent himself as Chichester took care to show to the two executives of the East India Company's Desk. (Episode 6)

Memorable Quotes

George Chichester: "July 10th is the anniversary of the sinking of the sloop The Influence. Not the ship's real name, of course. Its name was changed and papers altered when it took on human cargo in the port of Cabinda. 280 souls. 120 men, 84 women. And, sir 76 children. All lost. Drowned."

Solomon Coop: "And what is your interest in the sinking? Did you have relatives aboard?"

George Chichester: "Mr. Coop, even though I am black, I am not related by blood to every slave stolen from Africa."

― conversation about Chichester's goals

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George Chichester: "I write on behalf of humanity. As a man concerned with injustice."

― George Chichester to Mr Coop

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George Chichester: "You can mystify it all you want, but in the end, that is what it is. A cat in the middle of the desert, with no nose. But what an extraordinary achievement, gentlemen. When you think that the pyramids and the great Valley of the Kings and the Sphinx were all manufactured by men with skin almost as dark as my own. It almost defies all your... Our current views of nature."

― George Chichester to Wilton and Pettifer

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Benjamin Wilton: "You are very well travelled, sir."

Chichester: "I just wish I had seen those wonders without the benefit of chains around my arms and legs."

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Images

Appearances

Season 1

• S1, Ep5: Episode 5
• S1, Ep6: Episode 6

Notes

• The "Sons of Africa" was a late 18th-century British group that campaigned to end slavery. Its members were educated Africans in London, freed slaves who included Ottobah Cugoano, Olaudah Equiano and other leading members of London's black community. It was closely connected to the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, a non-denominational group founded in 1787, whose members included Thomas Clarkson.