Billy Waters is Dancing

“Dazzling! Read this book to discover the dramatic life and legacy of one indomitable man, among the delights and diversity of Regency London.”—Penelope J. Corfield, author of The Georgians

“This book is a powerful illumination of the life of one of the most influential Black people in nineteenth-century popular culture, a vital story that fell through the cracks in the rejuvenation era of individualised Black British history.”—Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Member of Parliament for Streatham

“Compassionately researched, Billy Waters is Dancing provides a thrilling example of how much we still must learn about our pasts. Shannon creates a brilliant roadmap for the future of history writing.”—Ayanna Thompson, author of Blackface

“How to atone for the great imbalances of history writing and representation, asks Shannon? Her answer is simple: produce the most sumptuous, intelligent, enjoyable excavation possible, and render the marginal magnificent!”—Oskar Jensen, author of Vagabonds

“Deeply researched and generously illustrated, Billy Waters is Dancing recovers a forgotten figure and opens a window onto London street-life and popular culture in the early nineteenth century.”—Michael Bundock, author of The Fortunes of Francis Barber