The Invention of Freedom: On the Historical Sociology of a Western Paradox

Tuesday 14 December 2021

Renowned historical and cultural sociologist Professor Orlando Patterson discusses his work on slavery and freedom.

 

Orlando Patterson, a historical and cultural sociologist, is John Cowles Professor of Sociology at Harvard University. He previously held faculty appointments at the University of the West Indies, his alma mater, and the London School of Economics where he received his Ph.D. His academic interests include the culture and practices of freedom; the comparative study of slavery and ethno-racial relations; and the cultural sociology of poverty and underdevelopment with special reference to the Caribbean and African American youth.

He has also written on the cultural sociology of sports, especially the game of cricket. Professor Patterson is the author of numerous academic papers and 6 major academic books including, Slavery and Social Death (1982); Freedom in the Making of Western Culture (1991); The Ordeal of Integration (1997); and The Cultural Matrix: Understanding Black Youth (2015).

More Events in Greater London Listings MORE

Brent June 1 2026, 4pm to Oct. 31 2026, 6pm

The Brent Reggae Album Covers Exhibition 2026

BBM/BMC (BritishBlackMusic.com /Black Music Congress) presents in association with BTWSC/African Histories Revisited and Brent Museum and Archives: The…

City of London Saturday 22nd August 2026

Pan-African Interventions in the Museum

Presented as part of the Barbican’s landmark Project a Black Planet season, Pan-African Interventions in the Museum is…

Lambeth Thursday 27 August to Saturday 24 October 2026

The Story

A gripping newsroom drama by Tracey Scott Wilson, The Story makes its UK premiere at the National Theatre,…

Kensington and Chelsea Saturday 29 August 2026 – Monday 31 August 2026

Notting Hill Carnival 2026

Notting Hill Carnival is Europe’s largest street festival and one of the most important cultural celebrations of Caribbean…