Professor Edward Baugh, a distinguished figure in Caribbean literature, has passed away at the age of 87, just shy of his 88th birthday. His death marks a significant loss for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region.
Culture Minister Olivia Grange, in a statement, acknowledged Professor Baugh’s immense contributions to literature, particularly his focus on West Indian literature and his extensive study of the works of Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott. Baugh’s academic career was marked by his dedication to the study of Anglophone Caribbean poetry.
Baugh’s journey in literature began at Titchfield High School, where he first wrote poetry. He won a scholarship to study English literature at the University College of the West Indies and furthered his education with postgraduate studies at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, and the University of Manchester, earning his PhD in 1964.
A passionate educator, Baugh taught at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill campus and later at the Mona campus. He was appointed professor of English in 1978 and became UWI’s Public Orator in 1985. His academic career also included visiting appointments at various prestigious universities globally.
In recognition of his contributions, Baugh was awarded the Gold Musgrave Medal by the Institute of Jamaica in 2012. He also received the 2021 Bocas Henry Swanzy Award, along with fellow poet and colleague, Professor Mervyn Morris, celebrating their contributions to the development of Caribbean literature.
Minister Grange highlighted that Baugh’s legacy extends beyond his spoken voice, leaving an enduring impact on literature and academia. She extended her condolences to Baugh’s family and friends, acknowledging the profound loss his passing represents to the literary community and beyond.
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