Distinguished Guyanese linguist Dr Richard Allsopp has died. He passed away last evening at a hospital in Barbados following a period of illness. He was 86-years-old.

Dr Richard Allsopp

Dr Allsopp served as Headmaster of Queen’s College before he took up a post at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados in 1963. There, he distinguished himself as one of the region’s premier linguists authoring several notable publications, including the Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage.

During his career he was the recipient of several awards including the Companion of Honour of Barbados (CHB). He was also awarded the Doctor of Letters by the University of the West Indies and while in Guyana, he received the Crane Gold Medal for his distinguished service in the field of Education.

Dr Allsopp leaves to mourn his wife Jeanette and four children. (See more in tomorrow’s edition.)