English Heritage has worked with artists to create portraits which depict figures from the African diaspora in our country’s rich history. At St Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury, until 5th November, you can see a portrait of St Hadrian (c.630s to 709). He was born in North Africa. He became Abbot of the monastery of St Peter and St Paul (later to become St Augustine’s Abbey) in 670. During his time as Abbot, he established the Abbey as a centre of learning and influenced the development of the English church. The Society is exploring ways of permanently commemorating Hadrian in Canterbury.
Brian McHenry