Harewood have teamed up with Leeds-based DSRG (the Diasporian Stories Research Group) to bring to life the story of Harewood’s first black member of staff, George ‘Bertie’ Robinson. Bertie travelled with the 5th Earl and Countess from St Vincent to Leeds aged 13 to work for the Lascelles family.

Launching in the Yellow Drawing Room from 17 May, Bertie Robinson : The Footman from St Vincent is part of an annual series which will celebrate and share the histories of people of African descent with Yorkshire connections throughout history.

Bertie lived at Harewood from 1893–1922. Letters, diaries and photographs will chart his life, as well as exploring some of the Lascelles’ links to the West Indies, the history of St Vincent, and attitudes towards people of colour at that time.