On George Odlum: Dr Anderson Reynolds on the life of Bristol’s first Black Student Union president

George Odlum stood in conversation with a fellow student (both wearing formal gowns) and Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth II is seated at the table beside Odlum.
George Odlum with Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and a fellow student (image courtesy of the University of Bristol’s Special Collections archive)

During his time at the University of Bristol, Saint Lucian politician George Odlum (BA 1959) was the first Black student in any UK university to become president of the Students Union and went on to become a leading voice in Caribbean politics during a time of significant social change. Although Odlum died 20 years ago, his legacy lives on. Below, Dr Anderson Reynolds shares insights into Odlum’s life from his recently published book, They Called Him Brother George: Portrait of a Caribbean Politician. (more…)