C. L. R. James

Date of Birth: January 4, 1901

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: May 31, 1989

Biography

Cyril Lionel Robert James, commonly known as C. L. R. James, was a Trinidadian historian, journalist, socialist theorist, and essayist. Born on January 4, 1901, in Tunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago, James is best known for his work in literature, politics, and sports. His seminal work, “The Black Jacobins,” is a historical account of the Haitian Revolution and remains a critical text in the study of Caribbean and black history. James was also an avid cricket enthusiast and wrote extensively on the cultural and political significance of the sport, most notably in his book “Beyond a Boundary.” Throughout his career, James was a vocal advocate for anti-colonial movements and socialist politics, making significant contributions to these fields through his journalism and theoretical writings. He passed away on May 31, 1989, in London, England.

5 Interesting Facts about C. L. R. James

1. C. L. R. James was a key figure in the Pan-African movement and worked closely with other prominent activists such as George Padmore and Kwame Nkrumah.

2. He was deported from the United States in 1953 due to his political activities and affiliations with socialist and communist groups.

3. James was a significant influence on the development of cultural studies, particularly through his analysis of cricket in “Beyond a Boundary.”

4. He had a brief stint as a cricket coach in England, where he coached the future West Indies cricket captain Frank Worrell.

5. James was also a playwright and wrote “Toussaint Louverture,” a play about the leader of the Haitian Revolution, which was performed in London in 1936 with Paul Robeson in the title role.