The founding of the African Society in 1901 marked the emergence of scholarly British interests in Africa. This book traces the subsequent evolution of a British Africanist community, particularly, but not only, in the universities of both the UK and Africa. The story of this intellectual engagement over the century is then told by leading Africanists from the standpoints of history, political science, social anthropology, physical geography, literature and economic thought.

Douglas Rimmer is Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Birmingham University's Centre of West African Studies. Anthony Kirk-Greene is Emeritus Fellow of St. Antony's College, Oxford University.