Eric is a self-taught historian and honorary Ghanaian Chief. He left school at the age of 14 unable to read and write. Within a few years he had taught himself to read and write, partly because of his fascination for the history of Liverpool. Such was his curiosity that he travelled all over Liverpool, unafraid of the racial divisions encompassed by the geography of North and South sides of the city. However this did not come without risk and there were one or two occasions when he was abused and chased because of the colour of his skin.

His thirst for knowledge was unquenchable and so Eric read widely on Liverpool life and its history. One particular book, “Ancient History of Liverpool”, given to Eric at age 16, made a huge impression on him. The book included text on the huge fortunes that Liverpool made from the Slave Trade and propelled Eric into a world of exploring more on that topic.

That manifestation of the importance of Slavery to Liverpool lead Eric to walk around Liverpool educating himself about the links that certain buildings, institutions and streets had to the Slave Trade. He even devised his own Slavery History Tour around Liverpool, which he would share with his friends and family.

He worked in the Building and Civil Engineering industry for over 25 years, also serving as a Senior Shop Steward and Health and Safety Officer for the Transport and General Union. Some of those years were spent working in Liverpool City Council’s Minor Works Department where he devised a Race Awareness course which was so popular that Liverpool City Council asked him to move into their Training Department. Eric spent four years as a Liverpool City Council Race Awareness Training Officer before retiring in 1997.

After retirement Eric decided to concentrate fully on his Slavery History Tours, which he had started way back in the 1970s. He formed a partnership with Liverpool Museums, who assisted in marketing the tours enabling the Tours to develop into the most popular of its kind in the region.

Eric said “If you don't know where you come from you can't know where you are going to. This saying is pertinent to individuals as well as to cities. Without knowing about the past we will not be able to shape the future and those who are ignorant of their past remain in a fog of misunderstanding. How many of us walk around our cities, towns, communities or localities and never give a thought to how history has shaped our lives and destinies? How many of us, so busy with the every day trials and tribulations of living life in the fast lane, are so preoccupied that we seldom raise our eyes from the ground, both physically and metaphorically?”

On his Tours one is taken on a journey of discovery, from the 17th century to present day; from Liverpool, a sleepy fishing village, to the coasts of Africa, the Caribbean, South America and the United States of America. Above all one will gain an insight into how the wealth of Liverpool and the great empires was assembled. In short you will view history through the eyes of the oppressed - the slaves.

In recognition of his sterling work as a Trade Union representative Eric was awarded the Gold Medal Award, in 2006, the highest award that the union gives to any of its members. He was also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Merseyside Black History Month Group in 2007.