Ryan Bachoo
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor of The UWI, has said distinguished historian and former Head of the Department of History at The UWI, St. Augustine Campus, Professor Brinsley Samaroo, was his brother.
In mourning the passing of Professor Samaroo, Professor Beckles said, "Brinsley was my brother and colleague for over 40 years. I admired his grasp of historical forces and we shared a common reading of the Caribbean past. He was a kind and generous colleague and a university man to the bone. We shall miss him as we celebrate his considerable contributions to our Caribbean community."
In addition to his prominent role as Head of the History Department, Professor Samaroo was a respected member of Parliament for Nariva and a minister in the government of the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR). While his contributions as a Parliamentarian in the 1980s were noteworthy, it is his profound impact as the head of the History Department at The UWI and his significant contributions to the field of Trinidad and Tobago's history, the working class, and Indo-Caribbean history that have earned him the utmost respect.
Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal at The UWI St. Augustine Campus, expressed her gratitude for his invaluable contributions not only to the university but also to the wider country and the Caribbean region, “Professor Samaroo's legacy extends far beyond his authored books and research journals, as he exemplified the true essence of an unselfish and conscious academic.
His commitment extended beyond the confines of the campus, as he actively engaged with communities, including our First Peoples, generously sharing his knowledge. He had the special touch to make history vibrant and urgent. His absence will be deeply felt by all those who had the privilege of knowing him.”