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The Lagos Consulate, 1851-1861 delves into a transformative decade in the history of Lagos, a period that marked the transition from an independent kingdom to British colonial rule. This era, bookended by the British intervention in 1851 and the annexation of Lagos as a colony in 1861, represents not only a pivotal chapter in Lagos’s history but also a critical prelude to the broader colonial partition of West Africa. The book examines the roles of various stakeholders—British officials, traders, missionaries, and Sierra Leonean and Brazilian returnees—in shaping the politics and society of Lagos during this period. Through its lens, the study offers insights into the cultural, social, and political dynamics that defined Lagos as it navigated the pressures of European imperialism and the ongoing Yoruba conflicts of the 19th century.

Drawing extensively from archival sources, including British Foreign and Colonial Office records, missionary journals, and oral histories, the author presents a richly detailed narrative of Lagos’s consular decade. By focusing on this microcosm of West Africa, the book sheds light on larger themes, such as the interaction between indigenous societies and European powers, the complexities of pre-colonial Yoruba politics, and the emergence of Lagos as a center for regional stability under British influence. Both a focused historical study and a broader commentary on the forces shaping modern Nigeria, The Lagos Consulate, 1851-1861 is an essential resource for understanding the roots of Nigeria’s colonial and post-colonial identity.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1979.