News

Thursday’s Child

Posted on October 13, 2026

A Life Between the Lines

In Thursday’s Child, readers bear witness to the journey of Stephen Bourne, Britain’s most prolific grassroots social historian, as it takes him through the back streets of Peckham and Camberwell as a gay British youth in the 1960s and 1970s.
Stephen’s career as a veritable aesthete, activist, and champion of the people has been cemented by such books as his acclaimed Black Poppies: Britain’s Black Community and The Great War, Fighting Proud and Trailblazers of Black British Theatre.

Trailblazers of Black British Theatre

Posted on July 1, 2025

Trailblazers of Black British Theatre begins in 1825 when Ira Aldridge made history as the first Black actor to play Shakespeare’s Othello in the United Kingdom, and ends in 1975 with the success of Britain’s first Black-led theatre company. This new revised edition includes chapters about three pioneering women: Una Marson, Ida Shepley and Dame Cleo Laine.

Black Poppies

Posted on October 7, 2022

Stephen explores the extraordinary ways in which Black people helped Britain fight the Great War, on the battlefield and at home, in this new illustrated edition of Black Poppies – The Story of Britain’s Black Community in the First World War (The History Press) for children. Among those we meet are Stephen’s Aunty Esther and Walter Tull, who led soldiers in some of history’s bloodiest battles.

Recognition for Stephen Bourne

Posted on October 7, 2022

In 2022 Stephen was honoured with Southwark Council’s Freedom of the Borough Civic Award. The ceremony took place at the historic Southwark Cathedral and Stephen was recognised for his voluntary liaison work with the local police over 20 years and his contribution to Black British history over 30 years.

Trailblazers Who Changed Black British Theatre

Posted on October 8, 2021

TRAILBLAZERS OF BLACK BRITISH THEATRE begins in 1825 when Ira Aldridge made history as the first Black actor to play Shakespeare’s Othello in the United Kingdom, and ending in 1975 with the success of Britain’s first Black-led theatre company. This new revised edition includes three additional chapters about pioneering Black women: the playwright Una Marson and actresses Ida Shepley and Dame Cleo Laine.

Deep Are the Roots

Posted on October 8, 2021

In 2021 Stephen celebrates thirty years of writing black British history books. His first, Aunt Esther’s Story, was published in October 1991. To mark this achievement, he has written Deep Are the Roots – Trailblazers Who Changed Black British Theatre for The History Press. The book was published on 7 October 2021. Stephen is currently writing a children’s version of Black Poppies for The History Press, scheduled for publication in October 2022.

MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE BOOK HERE

The Life of Dr Harold Moody

Posted on February 10, 2021

The Life of Dr Harold Moody, written by Stephen Bourne, celebrates one of history’s forgotten heroes, despite being regarded by some as the UK’s equivalent of Dr Martin Luther King Jnr, for his significant contributions towards the fight for racial equality in the UK.

Pearson is proud to have worked with Stephen Bourne to produce a new online version of his original booklet, The Life of Dr Harold Moody, to raise awareness of the life and achievements of Dr Moody. This eBook is freely accessible for primary and secondary schools to download, and includes discussion points for use with your class.

Learn more…

Deep Are the Roots

Posted on February 10, 2021

In 2021 Stephen celebrates thirty years of writing black British history books. His first, Aunt Esther’s Story, was published in October 1991. To celebrate, he is writing Deep Are the Roots: Trailblazers Who Changed Black British Theatre for The History Press. The book is scheduled for publication in September 2021.

Four Thought

Posted on February 10, 2021

On 9 September 2020 Stephen took part in BBC Radio 4’s Four Thought. In ‘Writing Black British History’ he talked about how we are short-changing young people by failing to teach them about the history of black Britons, whose stories, he believes, deserve wider recognition. In the podcast version his talk is followed by a short interview with the presenter Olly Mann.