‘Such a Group! Presenting so Many Nationalities’: Social Cohesion and People of Colour Settling in Victorian Britain

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article examines evidence about people of colour in Victorian Britain. Census data shows that 0.59% of the population of England and Wales was born outside of Europe in 1911. However, census data omits ethnicity. Evidence analysed in this article shows that people of colour did migrate to and settle in Victorian Britain and were able to integrate in British society. Some of the textual evidence presented provides clear evidence of social cohesion whereas other shows continued orientalisation and ‘othering’ of people of colour but does provide implicit suggestions of social cohesion such as exogamy even through its disdainful language.