some ppl are talking about chevalier st georges which is great bc st geroges fucking awesome and everybody should read up on him. he was more than just a composer! he also founded the first all black legion in the french army. he also whooped ass in fencing.

the legion st georges was a huge deal, and actually also had another luminary of its time, alexandre dumas sr. this is the father and inspiration of his son (same name), who famously wrote the three musketeers and the count of monte cristo (both protags based on alexandre sr)

he was also involved in activism, and worked to end slavery in france. this is famously commemorated in a political cartoon, st georges vs the dragon, where the dragon represents the vile practices of the slave trade.

the french revolution abolished slavery in france, something we're quick to forget. napoleon brought it back, but that's a whole other thread.

st georges was also notable for his friendship with the chevalier d'eon. he famously fenced with them. according to a contemporary report of the event: "Mlle" D’Éon score a hit on Saint-Georges, giving rise to rumors that the Frenchman allowed it out of gallantry for a lady."

ah and here's another cartoon of the two of them, along with the prince of wales, fighting col. g. hanger, a proponent of the slave trade. you can see a st. george and the dragon painting behind them, representing the slave trade

st georges was a revolutionary renaissance man. a fantastic composer, fencer, and political activist, he is worth twenty times the historical consideration he's given.

rather than wasting more time on famous racists like napoleon, let's celebrate chevalier st georges and people like him, who are often swept under the rug of history.

(if you'd like to read more about him & the history of black ppl in the french revolution, THE BLACK COUNT by tom reiss is a good place to start.)