A plaque and portrait dedicated to one of the most important figures in black history has been unveiled at the Tottenham library that bears his name.

The painting of black rights campaigner Marcus Garvey was unveiled at the library in Philip Lane, on Saturday.

It was accompanied with a memorial plaque by Jamaican High Commissioner Aloun Ndombet-Assamba.

Haringey artist Everall Hall donated his painting to the library in 2010 and pressed for the new plaque.

During the unveiling ceremony he was joined by deputy Mayor of Haringey Councillor Kaushika Amin, who paid tribute to Mr Garvey, who was declared Jamaica’s first ever national hero in 1964.

The ceremony also included performances by local poets on the first floor of the library where the painting is hung.

Born in the Caribbean country in 1887, Mr Garvey developed a keen interest in books before moving to New York and urging African-Americans to be proud of their heritage and return to their ancestral homes.

Councillor Richard Watson, Haringey Borough Council’s cabinet member for communities, said: “Tottenham can be proud that its library is associated with such a principled campaigner for equality.

“This impressive portrait and plaque, along with the huge resource of his books and speeches available in the library, will make sure today’s generation understands Marcus Garvey’s legacy.”

The library holds sessions and screenings about Marcus Garvey’s life throughout the year, culminating in a dedicated series of events across Haringey for Black History Month in October.

To find out more, visit your local library or www.haringey.gov.uk/libraries