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 Main 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The papers consist mainly of correspondence, manuscripts of both published and unpublished works, research notes, conference documents and a miscellany of reports.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

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 Main 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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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

2009 - Eleventh Annual FIU Eric Williams Lecture Delivered by Portia Simpson Miller
2009 - Eleventh Annual FIU Eric Williams Lecture Touts a New Vision for the Caribbean
2009 - FIU Eric Williams Memorial Lecture featuring former Jamaican Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller
2009 - Eric Williams Memorial Collection Sponsors 2009 Regional 'School Bags' Essay Competition
2009 - Eric Williams Memorial Collection celebrates Eleventh Anniversary
2008 - Tenth Annual FIU Eric Williams Lecture The Emergence of Barack Obama Post Event Press Release
2008 - Tenth Annual FIU Eric Williams Lecture Flyer
2008 - Tenth Annual FIU Eric Williams Lecture Analyzes the Emergence of Barack Obama
2008 - Eric Williams Memorial Collection celebrates Tenth Anniversary
2007 - Ninth Annual FIU Eric Williams Lecture Flyer
2007 - Ninth Annual FIU Eric Williams Lecture Celebrates Slave Trade Abolition Bicentenary
2007 - Eric Williams RECEIVES South Africa's Highest National Honour
2007 - Eric Williams to Receive South Africa's Highest National Honour
2007 - Mayor of London's Abolition Lecture Series Celebrates Eric Williams
2007 - Eric Williams Memorial Collection celebrates Ninth Anniversary
2006 - U.K. University Partners with Eric Williams Memorial Collection
2006 - Indian Vice President visits Eric Williams Memorial Collection
2006 - Williams’ Articulation of the Challenges for a Diverse Caribbean
2006 - Jamaican-born Princeton Professor Challenges a Diverse Caribbean
2006 - Historic Eric Williams Book republished
2005 - Eric Williams Memorial Collection celebrates 7th Anniversary
2004 - Seventh Annual E. Williams lecture focuses on Williams' vision for Carnival, Culture and Development
2004 - Distinguished African Scholars Lecture Series flyer
2003 - Renowned Activist Angela Davis to speak at FIU
2002 - Caribbean Women and Politics to be Focus of 4th annaul Eric E. Williams Memorial Lecture
2001 - Eric E. Williams Memorial Lecture examines the issues of Reparations
2000 - Former Zambian President to Speak at FIU
1999 - John Hope Franklin inaugurates FIU's African-New World Studies' Eric E.Williams Memorial Lecture

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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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Mrs. Kathleen Helenese-Paul
Head, West Indiana & Special Collections
Tel.: (868) 662-2002 Ext. 3506/ 3361
E-mail: Kathleen.Helenese-Paul@sta.uwi.edu

Ms. Lorraine Nero
Special Collections Librarian
Tel.: (868) 662-2002 Ext. 3599/ 3361
E-mail: Lorraine.Nero@sta.uwi.edu

Mrs. Erica Williams Connell
Eric Williams Memorial Collection
P.O. Box 561631
Miami, FL 33256-1631
Tel: (305) 271-7246
Cell: (305) 905-9999
Fax: (305) 271-4160
Email: ewmc@ewmc-tt.org

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