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Oberon is the husband of Effra and a former 18th century slave. Peter Grant describes him as

'...a large black man with a serious face and strong jaw.'

He displays traditional chivalrous manners and often wears modern clothing (e.g. camouflage trousers, silk boxers) with dated British army uniform elements, such as the scarlet frock coat with gold braid he wears in Whispers Underground. He also seems to have an interest in craft beer.

Meaning of his Name[]

Sometime during his enslavement he was named 'Oberon' by his then master. Oberon states literary-inspired slave names were a common trend and many of his fellow slaves had similar names such as Phoebe, Titus, and Cassius.

When Peter asks if he is 'King of the 'Fairies' like his namesake in A Midsummer Night's Dream, he denies it.

Early Life[]

There are no official records, but Peter believes Oberon was born in North America or Africa in the 1750s. It is unclear if he was born or forced into slavery.

Peter also theorizes Oberon fought on the British Loyalist side during the American War of Independence 1776-1783.[1] Based on his uniform in Detective Stories #2: Old Soldiers he had the military rank of 'Sergent' during this conflict.[2] This may be why Nightingale refers to him as an Old Soldier (note the capital letters).[3]

Immigration to London[]

No information has been provided on his immigration to London. However he may have been part of the wave of former American slave soldiers who resettled as free men in London at the end of the American Revolutionary War in the 1780s. He also states he was once a cowboy in New Jersey.[4]

Relationship with the Folly[]

Nightingale thinks Oberon is some kind of fae, but little further information is provided.[5] When Sky is murdered in Broken Homes he states he is 'party to no such agreement' with the Folly meaning he is not bound by the same agreements as Mama Thames and her daughters.

References[]

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