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Esther Bruce & her adopted nephew Stephen Bourne
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Esther Bruce & her adopted nephew Stephen Bourne
Esther Bruce & her adopted nephew Stephen Bourne by Val Wilmer in Fulham, London. Josephine Esther Bruce (1912-1994) working-class mixed race seamstress born in Fulham, London to a Guyanese father & an English mother. In London in the 1930s she made dresses for the singer Elisabeth Welch & befriended the Jamaican nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. Co-authored her autobiography in 1991 with her adopted nephew Stephen Bourne. Included in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Date: 1991
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Media ID 23090842
© The Stephen Bourne Collection / Mary Evans
1991 Adopted Born Bourne Bruce Esther Fulham Guyanese Josephine Mixed Race Nephew Seamstress Stephen Working Class Wilmer
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Esther Bruce & her adopted nephew Stephen Bourne: A Remarkable Intergenerational Bond between a Working-Class Mixed Race Seamstress and a Renowned Author This poignant photograph captures the heartwarming bond between Esther Bruce (1912-1994) and her adopted nephew Stephen Bourne, taken in their hometown of Fulham, London, in 1991. Esther, born to a Guyanese father and an English mother, was a working-class seamstress who made dresses for the renowned singer Elisabeth Welch and befriended the Jamaican nationalist leader Marcus Garvey in the 1930s. Despite the challenges of being a mixed-race woman in a racially prejudiced society, Esther's resilience and determination shone through. Her life story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of community support. Stephen Bourne, Esther's adopted nephew, played an essential role in documenting his aunt's remarkable life. Together, they co-authored her autobiography, which was published in 1991. Esther's story is now included in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, a significant recognition of her contributions to British history. Val Wilmer, a renowned photographer, captured this intimate moment between Esther and Stephen, showcasing the deep love and connection they shared. The photograph is a powerful reminder of the importance of family, adoption, and intergenerational bonds, especially for those who have faced adversity and discrimination.
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