Vivian Bickford-Smith is Extraordinary Professor at Stellenbosch University, South Africa and Visiting Fellow in the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London.

'The Emergence of the South African Metropolis breaks new ground in writing the cultural history of South Africa's major conurbations. It is especially innovative in discussion of the diverse Anglophone communities that dominated the cities in their early years and Bickford-Smith is equally interesting on African urban culture.' William Beinart, University of Oxford

• 1. Introduction; 2. Inventing British cities in Africa; 3. More Babylon than Birmingham?; 4. Selling sunlit cities; 5. Bitter cries and black Baudelaires; 6. Remembrance of things past.

Vivian Bickford-Smith is Extraordinary Professor at Stellenbosch University, South Africa and Visiting Fellow in the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London.

'The Emergence of the South African Metropolis breaks new ground in writing the cultural history of South Africa's major conurbations. It is especially innovative in discussion of the diverse Anglophone communities that dominated the cities in their early years and Bickford-Smith is equally interesting on African urban culture.' William Beinart, University of Oxford

• 1. Introduction; 2. Inventing British cities in Africa; 3. More Babylon than Birmingham?; 4. Selling sunlit cities; 5. Bitter cries and black Baudelaires; 6. Remembrance of things past.

Vivian Bickford-Smith is Extraordinary Professor at Stellenbosch University, South Africa and Visiting Fellow in the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London.

'The Emergence of the South African Metropolis breaks new ground in writing the cultural history of South Africa's major conurbations. It is especially innovative in discussion of the diverse Anglophone communities that dominated the cities in their early years and Bickford-Smith is equally interesting on African urban culture.' William Beinart, University of Oxford

• 1. Introduction; 2. Inventing British cities in Africa; 3. More Babylon than Birmingham?; 4. Selling sunlit cities; 5. Bitter cries and black Baudelaires; 6. Remembrance of things past.