Trinidad & Tobago Says Goodbye to Cherished ‘Virtual’ Historian <PERSON> · Global Voices
<PERSON> at his home in Siparia, south Trinidad, surrounded by his books and artifacts. Photo by <PERSON>, used with permission.
<PERSON>, who came to prominence in Trinidad and Tobago through his passion for and curation of its rich history, died on February 2, 2017, after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. He had been in and out of consciousness since late January, so his death was not entirely unexpected. Family members confirmed his passing this morning via the historian's official Facebook page.
Trinbagonian netizens the world over soon began to post their tributes and condolences on social media. Actor <PERSON> called <PERSON> “the people's historian”, meaning that he took history out of academic spaces and made it relevant and accessible for the average Trinbagonian. <PERSON> thanked him for “helping us to understand and re-claim our legacy”.
Historian <PERSON> (L), with editor <PERSON> and conservationist <PERSON> at the 2015 NGC Bocas Lit Fest South, Sunday October 11, San Fernando Hill. Photo credit: <PERSON>, courtesy the NGC Bocas Lit Fest.
Journalist <PERSON>, a friend and great supporter of <PERSON> who once interviewed him for Caribbean Beat magazine, was “so sorry he's gone–and far too soon–but glad he's at peace at last.” <PERSON> was just 34 years old.
Popular sports and politics website Wired868 remembered <PERSON> by republishing columnist <PERSON>'s post, which examined the historian's value to Trinidad and Tobago:
In the age of Facebook no one has done more […] to popularize our history and excite us about the stories of this place. Told by him, history is an adventure featuring characters that tumble off his tongue like pardners from around the corner. Entire places can disappear when he releases the past from its congealed history into the present.
A historian by passion, <PERSON> has earned the respect of some of the country’s most esteemed academic historians […] He was surely born for this.
<PERSON>, who founded The Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago. Photo by <PERSON>, used with permission.
Indeed he was. Turned down for the position of curatorial assistant at the National Museum, <PERSON> started his own museum by documenting the history of Trinidad and Tobago online. 357
His Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago Facebook page was “liked” by close to 20,000 people — and may have generated more traffic than the bricks and mortar version in Trinidad's capital city. <PERSON>'s virtual museum was as vibrant as he was; his enthusiasm for the history of his twin islands infectious — his online following mushroomed into a community that felt comfortable lobbying about conservation matters. <PERSON> himself, understanding the influence of his voice, would also comment on issues of national interest, often providing valuable historical context.
<PERSON> noted that the “greatest power” of <PERSON>'s life's work “lies in the journey it offers into self-discovery”:
Delightfully gripping, his historical narratives are told with such relish, punctuated by chuckling and exclamations, that you could almost believe he was there and witnessed it all. […]
In developing his online museum, <PERSON> has given us a prototype for a modern approach to history education which can be expanded and incorporated into the school curriculum.
<PERSON> agreed that <PERSON>'s work helped bring about self-awareness, saying, “Hopefully, he did teach us to love ourselves, if only a teeny bit.”
Acknowledging that “he fought a good fight”, journalist <PERSON>, who had interviewed <PERSON> on his television show a few times, lamented, “Words can do no justice. Rest in Peace <PERSON>. One of the loveliest souls I have ever encountered and who I was honored to call a friend.”
Another Facebook user, <PERSON>, posted a photo of <PERSON> along with the cover of one of the books he authored, saying, “A good soldier has fallen. Inevitable but still very sad. You will be missed by a whole country. Happy to know that you were honoured at a national level for your work. Rest in Eternal Peace. History certainly will NOT forget YOU. 357