Memory of the World Register - Nomination Form Trinidad and - The Eric Williams Collection

Abstract The Eric Williams Heritage is of worldwide significance since it documents the life and times of Dr. Eric Williams, Prime Minister of international statesman and esteemed scholar, during the period 1956-1981. The material depicts various aspects of Dr. Williams’ life and his contribution to Trinidad and Tobago, the region and the world. His scholarship comprises a number of significant writings. His seminal work, Capitalism and , has made an indelible contribution to the historiography of slavery and has defined the study of Caribbean history.

Identity and Location Name of the Documentary Heritage: Part A: The Eric Williams Collection Part B: National Archives Country: Trinidad and Tobago State, Province or Region: Address: A: The Main Library, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago B: The National Archives, St. Vincent Street, , Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Legal Information Owner: Erica Williams-Connell - Daughter of Dr. Eric Williams (Part A) P.O. Box 56-1631, Miami, Florida 33256-1631. (Part B) Government of Trinidad and Tobago

Custodian: Campus Librarian (Part A) The Main Library, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad (Part B) National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Legal Status: Category of ownership: Part A is privately owned and on deposit at The Main Library of The University of the West Indies Part B forms part of the Public Records of Trinidad and Tobago

Details of legal and administrative provisions for the preservation of the documentary heritage: Part A is governed by a Legal Agreement dated 22 March 1998. This defines the relationship between the two parties as well as the administration of the Collection and will be in effect for at least another twenty-five years. The Agreement gives the University full authority to develop and make the Collection available for research within the University’s normal policy and at its own cost. The organization of the material includes sorting, inventorying, cataloguing, indexing and microfilming to verifiable ANSI-ISO standards. The Agreement binds the University to ensure that The Eric Williams Memorial Collection is held permanently together and securely stored. The Agreement requires the University to organize and describe The Eric Williams Memorial Collection in inventory, guides and catalogues that are published, advertised and made available to the scholarly world in ways that encourage the use of The Eric Williams Memorial Collection.

Part B forms part of the Public Records of the National Archives Holdings. The records relate particularly to Dr. Williams’ official, national and international functions as Premier and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

Accessibility: The Collection at U.W.I. was opened on 22 March 1998 and is available for research by the University’s academic and research staff, postgraduate students and other bona fide researchers - local, regional and international. There is a Reading Room which has been designated for the purpose. There is also a Museum of thematic exhibits which would be open to the public at specified times. The Dr. Eric Williams Holdings, not unlike other categories of records held by the National Archives, are "open" for use by bona fide researchers, generally. Controls to access may be instituted only where physical conditions of the documents or "rights" issues may apply. In the latter case, written permission from the pertinent Government Ministry would normally be required.

Copyright status: The Copyright of all works, published and unpublished, rests with the owner of the Eric Williams Memorial Collection. Under the Agreement, the owner has the right to identify parts that should not be copied for use by anyone and items that should remain closed to research for a specific period. At the National Archives, normal legal requirements would apply for printed materials. Other materials belong to the State.

Responsible administration: PART A is located within the Main Library’s West Indiana and Special Collections Division. PART B is housed as part of the general National Archives Holdings and is administered in that context, and comes under the direct control of the Government Archivist.

Identification Description: The inventory of the Eric Williams Collection is divided into three main categories: Printed Materials Personal Papers Museum Exhibit

PART B of the Eric Williams Collection located at the National Archives spans the period of his official life as Premier and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and includes national and international activities. A definitive inventory is not yet available, though the records are accessible to bona fide researchers.

The Holdings comprise: (a) 1200 black and white photographs listed so far and are being added to as encountered. (b) 450 audiotapes and (12) videotapes have been listed and described. (c) Numerous speeches/lectures, some in printed form and a list is currently being prepared. (d) Subject Files represent approximately two-thirds of the holdings. (e) Minutes of Commonwealth meetings etc.

Bibliographic details: Part A: The printed materials have been catalogued and a database created. A full two-volume guide to the Eric Williams Memorial Collection will soon be published. One volume lists printed materials which have been catalogued. Thesecond volume, which deals with the personal papers, has a detailed index for scholarly use, as well as abstracts which will provide interesting reading for the average person. Supplementals are anticipated for any additional material will be prepared. A guide to PART B is in preparation and includes all major categories of records.

Visual documentation: The museum exhibit and numerous photographs provide the visual aspect to the Collection.

History: Dr. Williams’ extensive library of printed materials, personal papers and other memorabilia were bequeathed to his daughter on his death. These form the original core collection. Other material owned by Mrs. Williams-Connell and/or other persons is being added. There has been a long-standing relationship between the owner and The University of the West Indies dating back to the mid- eighties. The Collection was deposited in 1989 and officially opened in 1998. Photographs and tapes housed at the National Archives were part of the collection of the Ministry of Information, while the subject files and other documents are from the office of the Premier and Prime Minister and were transferred in the usual manner from White Hall, the original office of the Prime Minister.

Management Plan The West Indiana and Special Collections Division of The University of the West Indies is a research collection with access to bona fide scholars and researchers. The Eric Williams Memorial Collection is one of the special collections within the Division and therefore, together with any additional material, will be managed according to the general management and preservation plans for the Division. The museum exhibit, to which all categories of persons can relate, is opened periodically for public viewing. The Collection is housed in a separate room with stable environmental controls. It is air-conditioned with a back-up wall air-conditioning unit, a Halon fire prevention system and a dehumidifier. A large-scale preservation programme entailing microfilming and digitizing of the material is under preparation in collaboration with the University of Florida. This will achieve the dual purpose of preservation and improving access. The special reading room where the material will be consulted is equipped with a security camera system. The entire space will be controlled by motion and fire detectors linked to a central security system.

Part B housed at the National Archives, is quite unique in that documents relate to the only Premier and first Prime Minister of the country to be accorded that status. 90% of a new vault has been constructed, with appropriate conditions of temperature and humidity, where unique collections including the Dr. Eric Williams Collection, are to be transferred. A photo duplication project is being undertaken to ensure ready access without jeopardizing the original materials. Working copies are already available for audiovisual materials. Use of documentary and other materials is effected through the regular Searchroom activities of the institution. There is a well equipped conservation laboratory with trained staff to oversee the preservation aspects of both paper and audiovisual materials held by the institution. A continuous system of declassification of materials to broaden access is being worked out and should be implemented shortly.

Preservation Plan: At present, the preservation programme at the Main Library of The University of the West Indies consists of the careful handling of all original documents. As part of the normal preservation policy, all special collections are regularly examined for items which are fragile, damaged or too brittle to be handled which if possible are microfilmed, as will all the personal papers from The Eric Williams Memorial Collection and only copies will be made available for use by the public. A large-scale preservation programme entailing microfilming and digitizing of the material is under preparation in collaboration with the University of Florida. This will achieve the dual purpose of preservation and improving access.

Preservation facilities: The special reading room where the material will be consulted is equipped with a security camera system. The entire space will be controlled by motion and fire detectors linked to a central security system. 90% of a new vault has been constructed, with appropriate conditions of temperature and humidity, where unique collections including the Dr. Eric Williams Collection, are to be transferred. A photo duplication project is being undertaken to ensure ready access without jeopardizing the original materials. Working copies are already available for audiovisual materials. Use of documentary and other materials is effected through the regular Searchroom activities of the institution. There is a well equipped conservation laboratory with trained staff to oversee the preservation aspects of both paper and audiovisual materials held by the institution. A continuous system of declassification of materials to broaden access is being worked out and should be implemented shortly.

Assessment against the Selection Criteria The Eric Williams Heritage is of worldwide significance since it documents the life and times of Dr. Eric Williams, international statesman and esteemed scholar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago during the period 1956-1981. His Political Career was significant. Dr. Williams led Trinidad and Tobago from colonialism into a short-lived , then Independence in 1962 and finally to the status of Republic in 1976. This quest for sovereignty entailed a struggle, not only against British colonialism, but also against the United States which had maintained military bases in Trinidad. Nationalism reached a peak in the Third World in the 1950's and Trinidad and Tobago, led by Dr. Eric Williams, and , were the first British West Indian colonies to become independent in . Trinidad and Tobago’s achievement, guided by Dr. Williams, is therefore an excellent case-study of the decolonization movement of the 1950's and 1960's and of the success of a multi-ethnic, multi-religious fledgling society’s entrance into the world family of nations.

His Scholarship comprises a number of significant writings. His seminal work, , has been translated into 7 languages and made an indelible contribution to the historiography of slavery and it has defined the study of Caribbean history. It was reprinted in the United States a half a century after its first publication in 1944, is now in its third printing and continues to be a focal point for debate on the subject of British West Indian Slavery Two of Dr. Williams’ other books, British Historians and the West Indies and From Columbus to Castro have been printed in Japanese. Another of his works, History of the People of Trinidad and Tobago, has been published in Chinese. Recently, the leading African American scholarly journal of Arts and Letters in the U.S., CALLALOO, published by the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University Press, featured a political writer for the first time since its inception in 1976 in an edition devoted exclusively to Dr. Eric Williams.

His other scholarly distinctions include the following: Professor of Social and Political Science, President of La Societe Africaine de Culture, Paris Contributing Editor to Grolier Encyclopedia and Pan American Yearbook Member of the UNESCO International Scientific Committee for the Drafting of a General History of Africa

Pro-Chancellor of the three campuses of The University of the West Indies (the only person to serve in this capacity). As an International Statesman, Dr. Eric Williams was one of the founding members of the Governing Council of the United Nations University with headquarters in Japan and was once courted as a possible successor to U Thant as Secretary-General of the United Nations. He was asked to assist in solving racial difficulties in () and mediated the Venezuela-Guyana and border disputes. He was one of only four Prime Ministers selected to visit Vietnam in the hope of solving that country’s long and bitter conflict.

He was the recipient of honorary degrees from a number of universities and of national awards from Liberia, Brazil, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. Dr. Williams was Head, Research Branch and Deputy Chairman of the Caribbean Research Council. He was one of four senior officers of the Central Secretariat of the Caribbean Commission established by Britain, Netherlands, France and the United States of America. General Colin L. Powell (USA Ret.) inaugurated the Eric Williams Memorial Collection at The University of the West Indies in March 1998.

Contextual assessment, including an assessment of the importance of a series of documents, in a particular setting, and the assessment against documentary heritage: The papers and documents represent an important and unique set of primary source materials of relevance to the study of history, politics and the social and economic conditions of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean region, as well as the life and times of Dr. Williams himself.

Authenticity: The Collection which is owned by the daughter of Dr. Eric Williams, was in her possession after his death until it was deposited with The University of the West Indies Library in March 1989.

Rarity: The personal papers are of particular significance because of their unique quality. They afford an insight into aspects of the life and times of Dr. Eric Williams which other official documents that might be available are hardly likely to give.

Consultation Owner: The Owner forwarded the form to the Custodian, the Library. Custodian: The custodian is the National Archives which institution has responsibility for the application. A committee comprising The University of the West Indies Campus Librarian, the Government Archivist and the Director of Library Services developed the application.

Regional or National Memory of the World Committee: A committee comprising The University of the West Indies Campus Librarian, the Government Archivist and the Director of Library Services developed the application.

Independent institutions and experts: Dr. Margaret D. Rouse-Jones The Campus Librarian The Main Library The University of the West Indies St. Augustine Trinidad Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Telephone: 868-662-2002 Ext. 2008 or 2009 Fax: 868-662-9238 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

Mrs. Erica Williams-Connell P.O.Box 56-1631 Miami Florida 33256-1631 U.S.A. Telephone: 305-271-7246 Fax: 305-271-4160> E-mail: [email protected]

The Government Archivist National Archives P.O. Box 763 Port of Spain Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Telephone: 868-625-2689

Nominator The Main Library The University of the West Indies St. Augustine Trinidad Republic of Trinidad and Tobago West Indies

National Archives Trinidad and Tobago St. Vincent Street Port of Spain Trinidad Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Custodians of the Eric Williams Collection: The Main Library of The University of the West Indies and The National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago.

Contactperson: Dr. Margaret D. Rouse-Jones,Campus Librarian

Ms. Edwina Peters, Government Archivist The Main Library, U.W.I. Telephone: 1-868-662-2002 (ext.2008/9) Fax: 1-868-662-9238 E-mail:[email protected]

National Archives Telephone: 1-868-625-2689

Assessment of Risk Printed materials tend to decay after a number of years unless they are properly stored and treated. The Eric Williams Memorial Collection, comprising mainly printed materials, personal papers and the museum exhibit will need to be kept in stable environmental conditions. In addition, they will require digitizing/microfilming to ensure that over handling of these items does not cause unnecessary damage. The Museum Exhibit will also require maintenance and preservation. In view of the tremendous value of the printed materials, the personal papers and the museum exhibit, the Collection requires secure premises and constant monitoring to avoid losses from theft. At present, until the vault is completed, physical conditions at the National Archives are less than desirable as the building does not meet minimum archival standards.

Preservation Assessment The University of the West Indies Library has its own Bindery and Conservation Unit with a cadre of professionals who have specialized training in preservation. The special Reading Room where the material will be consulted is equipped with a security camera system. The entire space will be controlled by motion and fire detectors linked to a central security system. Audiovisual materials excluding the photographs, which are housed at the National Archives, were held at the Information Ministry in less than ideal conditions. A duplication project was instituted to provide access and further preservation. A special project is underway to ensure researchers are provided in all possible cases with duplicates.