The Spotted Boy

George Alexander was a black child with a skin pigmentation disorder known as piebaldism. For much of his short life he was exhibited for show, described as ‘the Beautiful Spotted Negro Boy’ and ‘a fanciful child of nature formed in her most playful mood’.

George was born to black African parents who were slaves on a plantation on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. From birth George attracted attention and curiosity, and as a baby he was displayed in his local town for a fee of one dollar. When he was just 15 months old he was transported to Bristol where he was delivered into the care of a travelling showman named John Richardson. He was baptised at Newington Church in Surrey on 22 July 1810.

George was the star attraction in Richardson’s travelling theatre. He was exhibited at fairs and shows, and was shown privately to wealthy patrons. Although Richardson was said to have behaved with ‘great kindness’ George was often exhibited for up to twelve hours a day.
This schedule may have affected his health. George died on 3 February 1813 of a tumour in the jaw. He was buried at All Saints Church in Richardson’s hometown in Marlow. By his own request, Richardson was later buried in the same vault as George and their tombstones were bolted together.

From "A Visible Difference: Skin, Race, and Identity: 1720-1820," an exhibition by the Royal College of Surgeons of England