Lucy Hall, Connie Hall, Edith Sultan, Philip Hall, Rosalie Hall, May Hall, Granny Hall, Arthur Hall, John Hall, Gertrude Sultan (nee Hall) Mr Sultan.
Arthur Lewis went on to become a Fellow of the Royal society and won the Murchison medal for Geology, I think these honours were in the future, but the geological stratum at the back is obviously a reference to his prominance as a geologist. This is an interesting family. Granny Hall was abandoned by her husband Captain Riddick, though he did send her money. For this reason she had to send Arthur to Germany for his education. The young boy studied very hard and came through and so, was the pride of the family and the head of the family. But the three sisters were fascinating too. Lucy, Getrude and May. May looks proudly intellectual. They must have all been involved in the Sufferage movement. Certainly Rosalie, Arthur's wife was a very active member of the sufferagette movement. I wonder if Arthur didn't meet Rosalie through his sisters. How they must have approved of her match with Arthur.
And at the same time they were clear of racism, it seems. Here Gertrude, in 1912, a middle class woman, has chosen to marry an Indian gentleman. He was a member of the royal family of Gwalior. But in any event, here is passage to India fulfilled. Here is another story. The Jewel in the Crown combined with Varsha mangal. A blessed union in the face of prejudice and imperialism. All the 'insuperable' obstacles portrayed in the books of Forster and Scott, simply overcome by a strong free minded woman.
I would love to have met Gertrude May, Lucy and Rosalie, not to mention Granny Hall and Arthur. Admirable whole intellectual, free and moral people. This was my father's family, Mike's family.Through the prism of the family I can understand them better.
I notice Hanif Kureshi is about on facebook. Hands off Hanif. This is my story and the story of Alan Hall, who is also writing about Arthur and his family.
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