In 1893, at the age of just 13, George ‘Bertie’ Robinson, became the first (and only) Black member of staff to enter service at Harewood House.

Born on the island of St Vincent, in 1879, Bertie was taken into the employment of the 5th Earl and Countess whilst they were visiting the Caribbean to to visit the four plantations they owned in Barbados.

The exact circumstances of the arrangement are unknown, but letting Bertie return to England with the Lascelles family must have been a very difficult decision for his family, and one reflecting the hardships faced by those living with the legacy of slavery and colonialism in the Caribbean in the 19th century.

As a footman, Bertie’s duties at Harewood would have included serving dinner, attending to the needs of the family and any guests, and accompanying the family whilst travelling. He may also have cleaned boots, polished the silverware and carried coal for the house’s many fireplaces.

Like other servants, Bertie’s days would have been long, with very little time off. We do not know how much Bertie was paid, but records show that Harewood’s footmen of the late-19th century earned approximately £15 a year (about £2000 today). Part of Bertie’s wage was used to support his family in St Vincent.

This photograph of Bertie was taken in a professional photographer’s studio in London. Like many ‘cabinet’ photographs, it was probably taken to be given to family or friends, often for display in the home. Documentary records show that Bertie did send photographs home to St Vincent, as well as mount them in Christmas cards.

Find out more about Bertie’s story in the article below.