Dear Editor,
It is with sadness to learn of the passing of Dr. Brinsley Samaroo, Professor of History at UWI, pioneer and specialist on Indian Caribbean history, St. Augustine campus. He passed away on Sunday, July 9 at a hospital in Trinidad. He was 82. Samaroo was attached to UWI since the early 1970s and at one time headed the history department. He earned his BA in History from the prestigious Hindu College, Delhi University in the 1960s and went on to do his PhD in England. After his PhD, he joined the faculty at UWI. He was a specialist in Indian history, slavery, and indentureship. In the last couple decades of his life, his academic work focused primarily on Indians – indentured labourers and their descendants. He published countless articles and penned several books. He also appeared on many TV and radio programs discussing subjects related to history and politics.
Anyone who studied Caribbean history or wanted to know about Indians in the Caribbean would need to read his works. Samaroo was always helpful to Guyanese – in their studies in Trinidad, in providing accommodations, and or putting us in touch with his students to provide comfort, lodging, etc., he was the overseas examiner for UG for several years. He was involved in the struggle against the dictatorship, providing moral support from 1980 through the restoration of democracy in 1992. He agreed to help us, although he said he would not do so publicly to jeopardize his job. He encouraged that we hold and support protest movements, including against Shridath Ramphal when he was UWI Chancellor and visited the campus. He quietly gave support to our youth movement in Trinidad including making available rooms for meetings at UWI.
Sincerely,
Vishnu Bisram
