Walter Hawthorne

About the Author

Walter Hawthorne is a distinguished historian specializing in the social and economic histories of West Africa, with a particular focus on the Guinea-Bissau coast during the era of the Atlantic slave trade. His groundbreaking research illuminates the profound transformations in local societies, from agricultural innovations like rice cultivation to the devastating impacts of the slave economy between 1400 and 1900. Drawing on extensive archival sources and oral traditions, Hawthorne's work challenges Eurocentric narratives by centering African agency and resilience in the face of colonial exploitation. As a professor of history, he has influenced generations of scholars through his meticulous scholarship and commitment to decolonizing historical discourse, making complex histories accessible and compelling for both academic and general audiences.