Author Paterson Joseph was announced as the  winner of the 2023 Royal Society of Literature (RSL) Christopher Bland Prize for his debut novel 'The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho' on June 8, 2023.

This book is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of Charles Ignatius Sancho, who was the first Black man to vote in England.

RSL Christopher Bland Prize :

* The RSL Christopher Bland Prize is an annual award that is given to a debut writer for their work of fiction or non-fiction, who is first published at the age of 50 or over.

* The winner receives a prize money of £10,000.

* This is the fifth year of the award.

'The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho' is a historical fiction novel that tells the lesser-known story of Charles Ignatius Sancho, who was the first Black man to vote in England.

The story was initially written and performed by Joseph as a one-man show in 2018..

Source : India Times