Eric Williams Memorial Collection

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The Eric Williams Memorial Collection contains the books, papers and memorabilia of the late Dr. Eric Williams, eminent historian and Chief Minister/Premier/Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, 1956-1981. The collection was placed on deposit at the Alma Jordan Library, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, in March 1989. It was formally declared open on March 22, 1998.

The books and journals together number approximately 7,000 items and cover a wide range of disciplines: Philosophy, Religion, History, Economics, Politics, Education, Music and Art. The emphasis is in the area of History.

The papers consist mainly of correspondence, manuscripts of both published and unpublished works, research notes, conference documents and a miscellany of reports. They give an insight into the intellectual at work: as Student, Teacher, International Civil Servant, Scholar and Prime Minister. Publications relating to the birth of the People's National Movement are also included.

A permanent exhibition complements the books and papers. It includes photographs, extracts of speeches and memorabilia depicting various aspects of Dr. Williams' life and his contribution to the development of Trinidad and Tobago. The exhibition is mounted around the following themes; the early years, family man, scholarship, international statesman, education, housing, a vision for the future, social contact and the end of an era. A re-creation of Dr. Williams' study forms an integral part of the exhibition.

The University of Florida Eric Williams website

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View brochure of the Eric Williams Memorial Collection (EWMC)

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Dec 2007 - Eric Williams 'School Bags' Essay Competition

Aug 2008 - Eric Williams 'School Bags' Essay Competition Awards Ceremony Hails
Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica Winners

Oct 2008 - Eric Williams 'School Bags' Essay Competition - Winning Essay, Trinidad and Tobago

Apr 2009 - Eric Williams CAPE Prize in History

In an Awards Cerremony at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission, Ms. Yanique Amoy Henry received, on behalf of The Eric Williams Memorial Collection at The University of the West Indies (Trinidad and Tobago): a laptop computer, framed certificate and book prize.

Jul 2009 - Dexnell Peters winner of the Inaugural Eric Williams "School Bags" Essay Competition meeting with Trinidad and Tobago President George Maxwell Richards.

Sep 2009 - Eric Wiiliams "School Bags" Essay Competition 2009

Jan 2010 - Eric Williams Centenary Stamp Design Competition 2010

March 2010- 2008 Eric Williams CAPE Prize in History

August 2010 - Winners of The Eric Williams ‘School Bags’ Essay Competition

Other photos are available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theuwi/4888735356/sizes/l/in/set-72157624717344196/

November 2012 - Eric Williams "School Bags", Essay Competition 2012

2012-2013 Eric Williams 'School Bags' Essay Competition First Place Winner

In an Awards Ceremony at the Tobago House of Assembly on January 14, 2014. Ms. Moore received, on behalf of The Eric Williams Memorial Collection Research Library, Archives & Museum at the University of the West Indies (Trinidad and Tobago):

• Airfare and 3-nights double accommodation in Guyana, plus per diem

• Airfare and 1 night double accommodation at the Trinidad Hilton, plus per diem
• Courtesy calls on President of Trinidad and Tobago, Speaker of House of Representatives and tour of Parliament
• Tour of The Eric Williams Memorial Collection Research Library, Archives & Museum and University of the West Indies St. Augustine campus
• City tour of Port of Spain
• US $1,000 educational voucher
• Framed certificate
• Essay publication in: CARICOM's online magazine, UWI's Pelican magazine (3 campuses), Miami Herald online, Trinidad Express, Miami-Dade County Public Schools website and online newsletter. Photograph in US Journal of African American History.
• A set of Eric Williams' books

Other winners of The Eric Williams ‘School Bags’ Essay Competition not pictured are: Shontol Harris, Clarendon College, Jamaica (2nd); Josh Ragbir, Naparima College, Trinidad (3rd); Melissa Lynch, St. Rose's High School, Guyana (3rd).

2014 16th Annual Eric E. Williams Memorial Lecture, October, 2014

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2016 18th Annual Eric E. Williams Memorial Lecture, September, 2016

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2022 Memorial Lecture

This event is FREE and open to the public. Reception to follow.

To register, please visit:

https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5gRLxVfmGG4LJuC

For further information, visit:

https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/caaas/events/2022-eric-williams-memorial-lecture

Live streaming will be available via the link above at 5:00 pm on Thursday, April 14, 2022.

Post-Lecture viewing at: Warfield Center's YouTube channel

2023-2024 Regional Essay Competition

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr. Keith Rowley with essay winner Diego Barnett of Queen's College High School, Guyana (8-24-2023)

2023-2024 Eric Williams "Schoolbags" Essay Competition EXTENDED to January 31, 2024

22nd Eric Williams Memorial Lecture at UT, Austin, post event press release

Photo by Michael T. Davis Photography.

A permanent exhibition includes photographs, extracts of speeches and memorabilia depicting various aspects of Dr. Williams' life and his contribution to the development of Trinidad and Tobago. The exhibition is mounted around the following themes: the early years, family man, scholarship, international statesman, education, housing, a vision for the future, social contract and the end of an era. A re-creation of Dr. Williams' study forms an integral part of the exhibition.

ACCESS TO THE EXHIBITION:
The exhibition is located on the second floor of the Alma Jordan Library.

Hours of Opening:
School Groups
Fridays - 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Groups of students must be accompanied by a teacher.
Please make bookings in advance.

General Public
Last two Saturdays of every month - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Feb 2004 - Eric Williams Memorial Collection celebrates Fifth Anniversary
Dec 2002 - Eric Williams: His Scholarship, Work and Impact
Dec 2001 - UNESCO Designation confirms EWMC's Uniique Heritage
Fall 2000 - Colin Powell commemorates Trinidad and Tobago's History

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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/23/eighty-years-late-groundbreaking-work-on-slave-economy-is-finally-published-in-uk?fbclid=IwAR0scLxtn8zSU2JB2n0RW-X9wumvqGKIGfg4Pf8TkSDJkjuT3CwKWnFnVzU

President's Guest House, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa. Left to right: Ronald Suresh Roberts (author from Trinidad and Tobago; Erica Williams Connell (daughter of Eric Williams to whom President Mbeki's official biography is dedicated); President Thabo Mbeki, Republic of South Africa. Photo credit: GCIS (South Africa) Erica Williams Connell receives Award from President Thabo Mbeki - Photo: Elmond Jivane, GCIS

Verene Shepherd, Professor of Social History, The University of the West Indies, Jamaica and Joseph Inikori, Professor of History, University of Rochester delivering 9th Annual FIU Eric E. Williams Memorial Lecture, October 5, 2007

Rawle Gibbons and “Lord Relator” literally bringing down the house with their stirring tributes to both Eric Williams and The Mighty Sparrow at the 15th Annual Eric E. Williams Memorial Lecture on October 18th, 2013

The Former President of Guyana, Hon. Bharrat Jagdeo, delivers dire warnings about a Donald Trump Ascendancy. Maimi, Florida. October 15th, 2016

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View slideshow of the Eric Williams Memorial Collection (EWMC)10th Anniversary.

The University of Woodford Square - 1956
First Day Stamp Cover
View Greeting Card
Order Information

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Lorraine Johnson
Curator, Eric Williams Memorial Library
The University of the West Indies
Cor. Knox & Pembroke Streets
Port of Spain
STA-Libraries-EWMLinfo@sta.uwi.edu

Rebecca Alexander Holder
Library Assistant, Eric Williams Memorial Library
STA-Libraries-EWMLinfo@sta.uwi.edu

Mrs. Erica Williams Connell
Eric Williams Memorial Collection
P.O. Box 561631
Miami, FL 33256-1631
Cell: (305) 905-9999
Fax: (305) 271-4160
Email: ewmc@ewmc-tt.org

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