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Earl Lewis Memorabilia

Dr. Earl Lewis, born in St. Lucia, was the brother of the late Sir Arthur and Sir Alan Lewis. He studied medicine at Manchester University and later specialized in psychiatry. He joined the staff at St. Ann's Hospital, Trinidad and Tobago in 1943. He was instrumental in starting the Caribbean Federation for Mental Health and became its first president in 1959. During his years of service he instituted several changes in the area of patient care, legislation, staff training and service. At his death he was hailed as a leader and pioneer in Caribbean psychiatry.

The collection consists of correspondence with family members and colleagues, notes and memorabilia. They shed light on Dr. Lewis' professional development, his family life and relationships and on the social climate of the time. Included are several letters from his brothers, Sir Arthur and Stanley; from his children, Leonard and Sylvia; and from his wife, Greta, before their marriage.

The collection was amassed by Dr. Earl Lewis. This is evident from the personal nature of the materials and memorabilia (e.g., passports, photographs, travel documents). It was passed on to the Main Library from the Medical Sciences Library, The University of the West Indies.