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ABSTRACT
The C.L.R. James Collection is a unique body of archival material formed by the late Cyril Lionel Robert (C.L.R.) James, one of the leading intellectuals of the 20th century. C.L.R. James (1901-1989) was born in Trinidad and Tobago, although he spent much of his life in Britain and the United States. He was an internationally famous leftist icon: during the 1940s and 1950s, he was a leading theoretician of the Trotskyite wing of American communism; he was also the main ideologue and leftist thinker of the nationalist movement in Trinidad and Tobago during its most radical phase, 1958-1960.
James was also the author of The Black Jacobins, the highly influential historical study of the Haitian Revolution which was published in English, French, German and Italian. Furthermore, he was an inspirational figure in the Pan-African movement from the 1950s to the 1970s. He was a close friend of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first Prime Minister and was extremely influential with leftist African-American intellectuals. A man of wide intellectual interests, James also authored Beyond a Boundary, the seminal work on cricket; the latter is a sport which Britain introduced to much of its empire.
The C.L.R. James Collection consists mainly of primary documents and comprises correspondence, manuscripts, pamphlets, posters, newspaper clippings, sound and video recordings as well as the books that formed James’ personal library.
DETAILS OF THE NOMINATOR
Name (person or organisation)
The Main Library
The University of the West Indies (U.W.I.)
St. Augustine
Trinidad
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Relationship to the documentary heritage nominated
Owner and custodian of the collection
Contact person (s)
Dr. Glenroy Taitt
Mrs. Kathleen Helenese-Paul
Contact details (include address, phone, fax, email)
(1) Special Collections Librarian
The Main Library
The University of the West Indies (U.W.I.)
St. Augustine
Trinidad
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
West Indies
Telephone: 1-868-662-2002 (ext. 3361/3599)
Fax: 1-868-662-9238
E-mail: gtaitt@library.uwi.tt
(2) Head, West Indiana and Special Collections Division
The Main Library
The University of the West Indies (U.W.I.)
St. Augustine
Trinidad
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
West Indies
Telephone: 1-868-662-2002 (ext. 3506/3361)
Fax: 1-868-662-9238
E-mail: khelenes@library.uwi.tt
IDENTITY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE
Name and identification details of the items being nominated
|The C.L.R. James Collection
Description
The collection includes correspondence, manuscripts (hand-written and typescripts) of works by James as well as manuscripts which other authors sent to James for his scrutiny, pamphlets, typescripts of speeches and interviews, lecture and course outlines, notebooks, flyers, newspaper clippings, video-tapes and audio-cassettes all held by C.L.R. James, together with the books which formed his working library.
Included among the papers are:
Correspondence: the most sustained correspondence covers the period 1953-1989 and includes letters which James received as well as carbon copies of letters which he wrote.
Material on the life of Pan-Africanist, George Padmore, a native of Trinidad and Tobago and a confidant of James. Based in the Soviet Union in the 1930s, Padmore helped to organise Soviet propaganda aimed at colonial subjects and African-Americans in particular. He later repudiated Stalinism and worked for the Pan-African Movement. Padmore subsequently became an advisor to Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first Prime Minister.
Flyers concerning the theatrical version of The Black Jacobins, from its premiere in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1967 to subsequent performances in Kingston, Jamaica, and London, Britain.
Manuscripts of works by James such as:
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Black Jacobins (the play)
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Toussaint L’Ouverture (as performed in London in 1936; this was the original version of Black Jacobins)
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Beyond a Boundary
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Mariners, Renegades and Castaways (penned in 1952 while James was imprisoned on Ellis Island, U.S.A.)
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Triumph (a short story written in 1929 when James was part of a circle of West Indian writers)
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Facing Reality (written jointly with G. Lee and P. Chaulieu in 1958 and inspired by the Hungarian Revolution of 1956)
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James’ incomplete translation of Daniel Guérin’s book on the French Revolution entitled ‘The Class Sruggle’
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Drafts of book reviews and newspaper articles by James, many of which deal with the game of cricket
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Typescripts of lectures delivered by James in Trinidad and Tobago, United States and Britain
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His unfinished autobiography
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Manuscripts of works by other scholars which were sent to James for his comments. Many of these have annotations by James.
James’ personal library:
This consists of approximately 1,500 volumes focusing on art, cricket, history, literature and philosophy including Marxism.
JUSTIFICATION FOR INCLUSION/ ASSESSMENT AGAINST CRITERIA
Authenticity
The collection was in James’ possession at the time of his death in Britain in 1989. It was subsequently offered for sale and was purchased by The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, in 1997.
World significance, uniqueness and irreplaceability
World significance
Although born in Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago, in the West Indies, C.L.R. James’ reputation and sphere of influence transcended the national culture, and indeed all boundaries of geography. The C.L.R. James Collection documents James’ activities in the West Indies, England and the United States, and his deep interest in Africa.
The Haitian Revolution: James’ play on the Haitian Revolution, Toussaint L'Ouverture, was staged in London in 1936, four years after James had migrated to Britain to pursue a career as a writer. The Haitian Revolution was a unique event in history, being the only successful slave revolt during the four centuries of plantation slavery in the Americas. That uprising led eventually to Haiti’s independence in 1804, the bicentenary of which is being celebrated this year. In 1938, James published a revised version of the play under the new title, Black Jacobins. The latter remains a classic treatise on the Haitian Revolution. Black Jacobins has appeared in English, French, German and Italian editions, evidence of the far-reaching influence of this book.
Black Jacobins has also been released as a play which was first produced by Dexter Lyndersay at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1967. It has subsequently been staged by the Jamaica School of Drama’s Graduate Theatre Company in 1982 and by the Talwa Theatre Company in London in 1986.
American communism: In 1938, James left Britain for the United States where he was deeply involved in the communist movement(s) over the next fifteen years. He visited Leon Trotsky in Mexico in 1939, and worked with Trotskyite parties in the United States. Along with Raya Dunayevskaya, a Russian-born intellectual, James established the Johnson-Forest group (later known as Correspondence and Facing Reality). Anna Grimshaw in her book, The C.L.R James Archive: A Reader’s Guide (New York: C.L.R. James Institute, 1991) says that “The work produced by James and his associates in the Johnson-Forest Tendency has been justly acclaimed as a major contribution to the theory and practice of revolutionary Marxism”. James eventually fell victim to the anti-communist hysteria that swept the United States in the late forties and early fifties. In 1952, he was imprisoned on Ellis Island and was forced to leave the country the following year.
West Indian politics: Following a five-year residence in Britain, James returned to his native Trinidad and Tobago in 1958. He was invited back by Dr. Eric Williams to help in the nationalist movement symbolized by Williams’ political party, the People’s National Movement. James edited the party’s newspaper, The Nation, and emerged as the main ideologue and leftist thinker of the party during its most radical phase (1958-1960). During this time, James also served as secretary of the West Indian Federal Labour Party and was therefore one of the architects of the short-lived West Indies Federation.
Pan-Africanism: Throughout his life, James was a strong advocate of Pan-Africanism. He was an associate of Kwame Nkrumah, the first Prime Minister of Ghana, a prominent supporter of the anti-apartheid struggle in the 1970s and 1980s and was extremely influential with leftist African-American intellectuals. In 1985, James received the TransAfrica African Freedom Award from the African-American group, TransAfrica.
Cricket and Britain’s former empire: James was also a famed writer on cricket, the game which became synonymous with British colonialism. The leading cricket-playing territories are Australia, the West Indies, India, Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand - all former British possessions. James’ book, Beyond a Boundary, published in 1963, which is a meditation on cricket, partly an autobiography and a brilliant description of Trinidad and Tobago’s colonial society, remains a classic. This book has also appeared in an American edition (published by Pantheon Books in 1983), although cricket does not have popular appeal in the United States.
Uniqueness and irreplaceability
The papers consist mainly of original documents. Several of the books in James’ library are rare books. However, many of the volumes have annotations in James’ own handwriting which therefore make them primary documents as well. Thus scholars may wish to consult these works for James’ thoughts on what he was reading.
The collection is therefore irreplaceable.
Criteria of (a) time (b) place (c) people (d) subject and theme (e) form and style
The C.L.R. James Collection satisfies the criteria of (a) time (c) people and (d) subject and theme. It also satisfies the criterion of social value.
Time
The C.L.R. James Collection opens a window to world affairs at a particularly important time in contemporary history. The collection largely covers the four decades after the Second World War. The pre-eminent event of that period was the Cold War when the advance of Marxism was a central preoccupation. James’ life and writings constitute a good case study for that turbulent era.
The ending of European colonisation was another event of the period. The C.L.R. James Collection offers a case study of the decolonisation process, focusing on the West Indies. James himself was one of the earliest proponents of self-government for the then British West Indies. His pamphlet, The Case for West Indian Self-Government was first published in London in 1933.
People
The C.L.R. James Collection is significant because its creator, C.L.R. James, was one of the foremost intellectuals of the 20th century. Moreover, he was a self-taught scholar. James never attended university, having ended his formal schooling at the secondary level; but through personal reading he became extremely knowledgeable in a wide range of disciplines. Although he never went to university, James lectured at Federal City College and Northwestern University in the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s and, in the 1980s, was occasionally invited to speak at British universities. He also received honorary doctorates from four universities: The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica (1971); Oakland University, Michigan in the U.S.A. (1971); the University of Hull in England (1983); and the University of Kent in England (1984).
Apart from his awards from academia, James has received other honours as well. He was awarded the Trinity Cross – Trinidad and Tobago’s highest national award, and the TransAfrica African Freedom Award. Most recently, in October 2004, he was honoured with a blue plaque which was placed on the house where he lived in Brixton, London. These blue plaques are mounted on the facades of buildings throughout London to mark the houses associated with great men and women. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the British Culture Secretary described James as “one of the best black intellectuals, one of the greatest Caribbean writers and somebody who is a legend in the Caribbean community and a legend for this community here in Brixton” (Trinidad Express, Sunday edition, October 17th, 2004, p.15).
As a Caribbean writer, James stands tall. He was the first writer from the former British West Indies to receive international recognition in the 1930s with his novel Minty Alley and his classic study of the Haitian Revolution.
Subject and theme
The collection is also significant because it highlights four major themes in world history – Abolition of slavery; Pan-africanism; Marxism; Decolonization.
Social value
The collection is of outstanding social/cultural value which transcends a national culture. This is particularly evident in James’ works, two of which can be cited here. Black Jacobins which has been published in several languages and which has been performed in Africa, the Caribbean and Britain.
James’ writings on cricket, most notably Beyond a Boundary, have had a deep impact throughout the cricketing world. Apart from being a sport, cricket has lately been recognised as an academic discipline: The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, in Barbados, has established a Centre for Cricket Research; there are also plans to include cricket in the academic curriculum of schools in India in 2005.
Moreover, Beyond a Boundary, as scholars have realised, is more than merely a book about cricket. It “is now reputed to be James’ most important contribution to the discourse of postcolonialism”, according to Donald Pease in his introduction to Mariners, Renegades and Castaways (Hanover and London: University Press of New England, 2001).
Issues of rarity, integrity, threat and management
None.
LEGAL INFORMATION
Owner of the documentary heritage (Name and contact details)
Main Library
The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine
Trinidad
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
West Indies
Custodian of the documentary heritage (Name and contact details, if different to owner)
Legal status:
(a) Category of ownership
The collection is wholly owned by the Main Library, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.
(b) Accessibility
The collection is available for research by the University’s academic and research staff, graduate students and other bona fide researchers – local, regional and international. There is a Reading Room which has been designated for the purpose.
(c) Copyright status
The Copyright of all works by James, published and unpublished, rests with James’ estate. The University of the West Indies does not possess copyright over the collection.
(d) Responsible administration
The Main Library.
(e) Other factors
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Summary
The C.L.R. James Collection is one of the Special Collections within the Main Library’s West Indiana and Special Collections Division. The latter is a research collection containing published and unpublished material catering primarily for bona fide scholars and researchers. The library itself is fully air-conditioned. Furthermore, the C.L.R. James Collection is housed in a room with UV-filtered light where the entire space is controlled by motion and fire detectors linked to a central security system. For long-term conservation, the papers have been placed in acid-free folders and stored in acid-free boxes.
There is a special reading room where the collection is consulted by researchers. This room is equipped with a camera surveillance system. Researchers must use either a pencil or a laptop computer as the use of pens is not permitted. Photocopying is allowed at the discretion of the librarian who considers factors such as the condition of the items in question.
The papers have been inventoried and a database has been created using the CDS-ISIS software. James’ personal library has been kept as a separate entity within the West Indiana and Special Collections Division. However, the books are have all been catalogued and are accessible via the library’s online catalogue.
The library has an audio-visual collection which houses the equipment necessary for consulting the video-tapes and sound recordings found in the C.L.R. James Collection.
CONSULTATION
Provide details of consultation about this nomination with:
(a) the owner of the heritage
Not necessary since the collection is owned by the nominator.
(b) the custodian
Not necessary since the nominator is both owner and custodian of the collection.
(c) your national or regional Memory of the World committee
Trinidad and Tobago’s national representative on the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Committee for the Memory of the World suggested that the nomination of the C.L.R. James Collection be put forward. A copy of the nomination has been sent simultaneously to both the Regional and International Committees.
PART B – SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
ASSESSMENT OF RISK
Printed materials tend to decay after a number of years unless they are properly treated and stored.
For audio-visual material, the main threat is the obsolescence of play-back equipment. This is particularly evident with reel-to-reel audio-tapes.
There is also the possible threat of water-damage resulting from a hurricane. Although Trinidad and Tobago lies just below the hurricane belt, this threat cannot be underestimated. The library is therefore taking steps to enhance the security of the building in the event of a hurricane or other such disaster.
ASSESSMENT OF PRESERVATION
The Main Library at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, has a Bindery and Conservation Unit under the direction of the Head, Technical Services. The library also has a professional trained in conservation techniques.
The library is also considering digitising parts of the collection as a form of preservation.
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PART A - ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
ABSTRACT
The Eric Williams Heritage is of worldwide significance since it documents the life and times of Dr. Eric Williams, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago international statesman and esteemed scholar, during the period 1956-1981. The material depicts various aspects of Dr. Williams’ life and his contribution to Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean region and the world. His scholarship comprises a number of significant writings. His seminal work, Capitalism and Slavery, has made an indelible contribution to the historiography of slavery and has defined the study of Caribbean history.
Identity and
Location
Name of the Documentary Heritage:
Part A: The Eric Williams Collection
Part B: National Archives
Country: Trinidad and Tobago
State, Province or Region: West Indies
Address:
A:
The Main Library
The University of the West Indies
St. Augustine
Trinidad
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
B:
The National Archives
St. Vincent Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Legal
information
Owner:
Erica Williams-Connell - Daughter of Dr. Eric Williams
(Part A) P.O. Box 56-1631, Miami, Florida 33256-1631.
(Part B) Government of trinidad and Tobago
Custodian: Campus Librarian
(Part A)
The Main Library
The University of the West Indies
St. Augustine, Trinidad
(Part B)
National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago
St. Vincent Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad.
Legal Status:
Category of ownership:
Part A is privately owned and on deposit at The Main Library of The University of the West Indies
Part B forms part of the Public Records of Trinidad and Tobago
Details of legal and administrative provisions for the preservation of the documentary heritage:
Part A is governed by a Legal Agreement dated 22 March 1998. This defines the relationship between the two parties as well as the administration of the Collection and will be in effect for at least another twenty-five years.
The Agreement gives the University full authority to develop and make the Collection available for research within the University’s normal policy and at its own cost. The organization of the material includes sorting, inventorying, cataloguing, indexing and microfilming to verifiable ANSI-ISO standards.
The Agreement binds the University to ensure that The Eric Williams Memorial Collection is held permanently together and securely stored.
The Agreement requires the University to organize and describe The Eric Williams Memorial Collection in inventory, guides and catalogues that are published, advertised and made available to the scholarly world in ways that encourage the use of The Eric Williams Memorial Collection.
PART B forms part of the Public Records of the National Archives Holdings. The records relate particularly to Dr. Williams’ official, national and international functions as Premier and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
Accessibility:
The Collection at U.W.I. was opened on 22 March 1998 and is available for research by the University’s academic and research staff, postgraduate students and other bona fide researchers - local, regional and international. There is a Reading Room which has been designated for the purpose. There is also a Museum of thematic exhibits which would be open to the public at specified times.
The Dr. Eric Williams Holdings, not unlike other categories of records held by the National Archives, are "open" for use by bona fide researchers, generally. Controls to access may be instituted only where physical conditions of the documents or "rights" issues may apply. In the latter case, written permission from the pertinent Government Ministry would normally be required.
Copyright status:
The Copyright of all works, published and unpublished, rests with the owner of the Eric Williams Memorial Collection. Under the Agreement, the owner has the right to identify parts that should not be copied for use by anyone and items that should remain closed to research for a specific period.
At the National Archives, normal legal requirements would apply for printed materials. Other materials belong to the State.
Responsible administration:
PART A is located within the Main Library’s West Indiana and Special Collections Division.
PART B is housed as part of the general National Archives Holdings and is administered in that context, and comes under the direct control of the Government Archivist.
Identification
Description: The inventory of the Eric Williams Collection is divided into three main categories:
- Printed Materials
- Personal Papers
- Museum Exhibit
Part B of the Eric Williams Collection located at the National Archives spans the period of his official life as Premier and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and includes national and international activities. A definitive inventory is not yet available, though the records are accessible to bona fide researchers. The Holdings comprise:
(a) 1200 black and white photographs listed so far and are being added to as encountered.
(b) 450 audiotapes and (12) videotapes have been listed and described.
(c) Numerous speeches/lectures, some in printed form and a list is currently being prepared.
(d) Subject Files represent approximately two-thirds of the holdings.
(e) Minutes of Commonwealth meetings etc.
Bibliographic details: Part A: The printed materials have been catalogued and a database created. A full two-volume guide to the Eric Williams Memorial Collection will soon be published. One volume lists printed materials which have been catalogued. The second volume, which deals with the personal papers, has a detailed index for scholarly use, as well as abstracts which will provide interesting reading for the average person.
Supplementals are anticipated for any additional material will be prepared. A guide to PART B is in preparation and includes all major categories of records.
Visual documentation: The museum exhibit and numerous photographs provide the visual aspect to the Collection.
History
Dr. Williams’ extensive library of printed materials, personal papers and other memorabilia were bequeathed to his daughter on his death. These form the original core collection. Other material owned by Mrs. Williams-Connell and/or other persons is being added. There has been a long-standing relationship between the owner and The University of the West Indies dating back to the mid-eighties. The Collection was deposited in 1989 and officially opened in 1998.
Photographs and tapes housed at the National Archives were part of the collection of the Ministry of Information, while the subject files and other documents are from the office of the Premier and Prime Minister and were transferred in the usual manner from White Hall, the original office of the Prime Minister.
Management plan
The West Indiana and Special Collections Division of The University of the West Indies is a research collection with access to bona fide scholars and researchers. The Eric Williams Memorial Collection is one of the special collections within the Division and therefore, together with any additional material, will be managed according to the general management and preservation plans for the Division.
The museum exhibit, to which all categories of persons can relate, is opened periodically for public viewing.
The Collection is housed in a separate room with stable environmental controls. It is air-conditioned with a back-up wall air-conditioning unit, a Halon fire prevention system and a dehumidifier.
A large-scale preservation programme entailing microfilming and digitizing of the material is under preparation in collaboration with the University of Florida. This will achieve the dual purpose of preservation and improving access.
The special reading room where the material will be consulted is equipped with a security camera system.
The entire space will be controlled by motion and fire detectors linked to a central security system.
Part B housed at the National Archives, is quite unique in that documents relate to the only Premier and first Prime Minister of the country to be accorded that status.
90% of a new vault has been constructed, with appropriate conditions of temperature and humidity, where unique collections including the Dr. Eric Williams Collection, are to be transferred.
A photoduplication project is being undertaken to ensure ready access without jeopardizing the original materials. Working copies are already available for audiovisual materials.
Use of documentary and other materials is effected through the regular Searchroom activities of the institution.
There is a well equipped conservation laboratory with trained staff to oversee the preservation aspects of both paper and audiovisual materials held by the institution.
A continuous system of declassification of materials to broaden access is being worked out and should be implemented shortly.
Preservation Plan: At present, the preservation programme at the Main Library of The University of the West Indies consists of the careful handling of all original documents. As part of the normal preservation policy, all special collections are regularly examined for items which are fragile, damaged or too brittle to be handled which if possible are microfilmed, as will all the personal papers from The Eric Williams Memorial Collection and only copies will be made available for use by the public.
A large-scale preservation programme entailing microfilming and digitizing of the material is under preparation in collaboration with the University of Florida. This will achieve the dual purpose of preservation and improving access.
Preservation facilities: The special reading room where the material will be consulted is equipped with a security camera system.
The entire space will be controlled by motion and fire detectors linked to a central security system.
90% of a new vault has been constructed, with appropriate conditions of temperature and humidity, where unique collections including the Dr. Eric Williams Collection, are to be transferred.
A photoduplication project is being undertaken to ensure ready access without jeopardizing the original materials. Working copies are already available for audiovisual materials.
Use of documentary and other materials is effected through the regular Searchroom activities of the institution.
There is a well equipped conservation laboratory with trained staff to oversee the preservation aspects of both paper and audiovisual materials held by the institution.
A continuous system of declassification of materials to broaden access is being worked out and should be implemented shortly.
Assessment against the Selection Criteria
The Eric Williams Heritage is of worldwide significance since it documents the life and times of Dr. Eric Williams, international statesman and esteemed scholar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago during the period 1956-1981.
His Political Career was significant. Dr. Williams led Trinidad and Tobago from colonialism into a short-lived West Indies Federation, then Independence in 1962 and finally to the status of Republic in 1976.
This quest for sovereignty entailed a struggle, not only against British colonialism, but also against the United States which had maintained military bases in Trinidad. Nationalism reached a peak in the Third World in the 1950's and Trinidad and Tobago, led by Dr. Eric Williams, and Jamaica, were the first British West Indian colonies to become independent in August 1962.
Trinidad and Tobago’s achievement, guided by Dr. Williams, is therefore an excellent case-study of the decolonization movement of the 1950's and 1960's and of the success of a multi-ethnic, multi-religious fledgling society’s entrance into the world family of nations.
His Scholarship comprises a number of significant writings. His seminal work, Capitalism and Slavery, has been translated into 7 languages and made an indelible contribution to the historiography of slavery and it has defined the study of Caribbean history. It was reprinted in the United States a half a century after its first publication in 1944, is now in its third printing and continues to be a focal point for debate on the subject of British West Indian Slavery Two of Dr. Williams’ other books, British Historians and the West Indies and From Columbus to Castro have been printed in Japanese. Another of his works, History of the People of Trinidad and Tobago, has been published in Chinese.
Recently, the leading African American scholarly journal of Arts and Letters in the U.S., CALLALOO, published by the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University Press, featured a political writer for the first time since its inception in 1976 in an edition devoted exclusively to Dr. Eric Williams.
His other scholarly distinctions include the following:
- Professor of Social and Political Science, Howard University
- President of La Societe Africaine de Culture, Paris
- Contributing Editor to Grolier Encyclopedia and Pan American Yearbook
- Member of the UNESCO International Scientific Committee for the Drafting of a General History of Africa
- Pro-Chancellor of the three campuses of The University of the West Indies (the only person to serve in this capacity).
As an International Statesman, Dr. Eric Williams was one of the founding members of the Governing Council of the United Nations University with headquarters in Japan and was once courted as a possible successor to U Thant as Secretary-General of the United Nations.
He was asked to assist in solving racial difficulties in British Guiana (Guyana) and mediated the Venezuela-Guyana and Belize border disputes. He was one of only four Prime Ministers selected to visit Vietnam in the hope of solving that country’s long and bitter conflict.
He was the recipient of honorary degrees from a number of universities and of national awards from Liberia, Brazil, Venezuela and the United Kingdom.
Dr. Williams was Head, Research Branch and Deputy Chairman of the Caribbean Research Council. He was one of four senior officers of the Central Secretariat of the Caribbean Commission established by Britain, Netherlands, France and the United States of America.
General Colin L. Powell (USA Ret.) inaugurated the Eric Williams Memorial Collection at The University of the West Indies in March 1998.
Contextual assessment, including an assessment of the importance of a series of documents, in a particular setting, and the assessment against documentary heritage:
The papers and documents represent an important and unique set of primary source materials of relevance to the study of history, politics and the social and economic conditions of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean region, as well as the life and times of Dr. Williams himself.
Authenticity
The Collection which is owned by the daughter of Dr. Eric Williams, was in her possession after his death until it was deposited with The University of the West Indies Library in March 1989.
Rarity
The personal papers are of particular significance because of their unique quality. They afford an insight into aspects of the life and times of Dr. Eric Williams which other official documents that might be available are hardly likely to give.
Consultation
Owner: The Owner forwarded the form to the Custodian, the Library.
Custodian: The custodian is the National Archives which institution has responsibility for the application.
A committee comprising The University of the West Indies Campus Librarian, the Government Archivist and the Director of Library Services developed the application.
Regional or National Memory of the World Committee:
A committee comprising The University of the West Indies Campus Librarian, the Government Archivist and the Director of Library Services developed the application.
Independent institutions and experts:
Dr. Margaret D. Rouse-Jones
The Campus Librarian
The Main Library
The University of the West Indies
St. Augustine
Trinidad Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Telephone: 868-662-2002 Ext. 2008 or 2009
Fax: 868-662-9238
E-mail: mainlib@library.uwi.tt / mrousejo@library.uwi.tt
Mrs. Erica Williams-Connell
P.O.Box 56-1631
Miami
Florida 33256-1631
U.S.A.
Telephone: 305-271-7246
Fax: 305-271-4160>
E-mail: ewc.suilan@juno.com
The Government Archivist
National Archives
P.O. Box 763
Port of Spain
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Telephone: 868-625-2689
Nominator
The Main Library
The University of the West Indies
St. Augustine
Trinidad
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
West Indies
National Archives Trinidad and Tobago
St. Vincent Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Custodians of the Eric Williams Collection: The Main Library of The University of the West Indies and The National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago.
Contact person:
Dr. Margaret D. Rouse-Jones,Campus Librarian
Ms. Edwina Peters, Government Archivist
The Main Library, U.W.I.
Telephone: 1-868-662-2002 (ext.2008/9)
Fax: 1-868-662-9238
E-mail:mainlib@library.uwi.tt
National Archives
Telephone: 1-868-625-2689
PART B - SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
Assessment of risk
Printed materials tend to decay after a number of years unless they are properly stored and treated. The Eric Williams Memorial Collection, comprising mainly printed materials, personal papers and the museum exhibit will need to be kept in stable environmental conditions. In addition, they will require digitizing/microfilming to ensure that overhandling of these items does not cause unnecessary damage. The Museum Exhibit will also require maintenance and preservation.
In view of the tremendous value of the printed materials, the personal papers and the museum exhibit, the Collection requires secure premises and constant monitoring to avoid losses from theft.
At present, until the vault is completed, physical conditions at the National Archives are less than desirable as the building does not meet minimum archival standards.
Preservation Assessment
The University of the West Indies Library has its own Bindery and Conservation Unit with a cadre of professionals who have specialized training in preservation.
The special Reading Room where the material will be consulted is equipped with a security camera system. The entire space will be controlled by motion and fire detectors linked to a central security system.
Audiovisual materials excluding the photographs, which are housed at the National Archives, were held at the Information Ministry in less than ideal conditions. A duplication project was instituted to provide access and further preservation. A special project is underway to ensure researchers are provided in all possible cases with duplicates.
This document can also be accessed online at
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=3776&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
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PART A - ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
ABSTRACT
The Derek Walcott Collection is of world significance. it was generated by Derek Walcott, whose literary output has won him many outstanding international awards, including the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992. It consists of original, unique documents. Its social, cultural and spiritual value transcends a national culture.
Identity and Location
Name of the Documentary
Heritage: The Derek Walcott Collection - manuscripts, correspondence, papers, clippings, unpublished work, diaries, notebooks etc. of the Nobel laureate Derek Walcott.
Country: Trinidad and Tobago
State, Province or Region: West Indies
Address: St. Augustine, Trinidad
Name of Institution: The Main Library, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine
Legal
information
Owner: The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine
Custodian: The Main Library
Legal Status:
Category of ownership: Corporate
Details of legal and administrative provisions for the preservation of the documentary
heritage: No legal provisions. The Library follows the accepted standards for preservation of this type of material
Accessibility: Limited access to bona fide researchers.
Copyright status: Restrictions on reproduction unless special permission granted by author or under terms of agreement.
Responsible administration: The West Indiana and Special Collections Division is managed by a professional librarian/historian. The Library also has on staff two professional librarians with specialized training, one in copyright and the other in preservation.
Identification
Description: Manuscripts including diaries and letters; photographs; sketches and paintings.
Bibliographic details: An inventory to the Collection is being prepared using CDS/ISIS software.
History: The items have been purchased.
Names, qualifications and contact details of independent people or organizations with expert knowledge about the values and provenance of the documentary heritage:
Mrs. Yvonne V. Stephenson, Campus Librarian
Dr Margaret Rouse-Jones, Librarian II, West Indiana & Special Collections
The Main Library, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine
Management plan
The Derek Walcott Collection is of world significance since its originator won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992. It consists of original, unique documents. Access to this collection (whether originals or copies) will be limited. Strict measures will be in force with regard to accessibility and use of the collection. There is, as yet, no preservation budget.
West Indiana and Special Collections Division of the Library where the Collection is housed is expected to move into new quarters within the next academic year. Procedures and policies relating to a controlled physical environment will be put in place.
One professional librarian has received specialized training in preservation. Two members of the Bindery and Conservation Unit have had formal training in Microfilming.
A disaster plan is now being finalised.
Assessment against the Selection Criteria
The Derek Walcott Collection is of world significance according to criteria 4 and 7. It was generated by Derek Walcott, whose literary output has won him many outstanding international awards, including the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992. Its social, cultural and spiritual value transcends a national culture.
Contextual assessment: The original documents were purchased from the original source, Derek Walcott.
Authenticity: Same as 5.2
Rarity:
CONSULTATION
Owner: Not necessary since they are owned by Institution.
NOMINATOR
Contact person:
Mrs Yvonne Stephenson
Campus Librarian
Custodian
The Main Library
The University of the West Indies
St. Augustine
Trinidad and Tobago
West Indies
Phone: 1-(809) 662-2002 (Ext. 2008/9)
Fax: 1-(809) 662-9238
E-Mail: mainlib@library.uwi.tt
PART B - SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
Assessment of risk
The main threat is the lack of a preservation budget dedicated to this purpose. Amount of funding available will vary according to other demands made on the Library budget.
Preservation Assessment
Present physical state: Fair but needs some attention.
History of preservation:
Current preservation policy in relation to proposed nominated documentary heritage: Microfilming of deteriorating material. Restricted use and access.
Person or organization responsible for preservation: Bindery and Conservation Unit under the direction of Head, Technical Services and a professional trained in conservation techniques.
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