Eric Williams

Date of Birth: September 25, 1911

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: March 29, 1981

Biography

Eric Eustace Williams was a prominent Trinidadian historian, scholar, and politician. Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Williams is best known for his groundbreaking work “Capitalism and Slavery,” which redefined the understanding of the economic aspects of the Atlantic slave trade. As a historian, his research focused on the interplay between slavery, colonialism, and capitalism, and he argued that the profits from slavery were instrumental in financing the Industrial Revolution in Britain. Beyond his academic work, Williams played a pivotal role in the political landscape of Trinidad and Tobago, serving as the first Prime Minister from 1962 until his death in 1981. He was instrumental in the nation’s transition from colonial rule to independence and was a passionate advocate for Caribbean integration and self-governance.

5 Interesting Facts about Eric Williams

1. Eric Williams was awarded a scholarship to study at Oxford University, where he received a first-class degree in History.

2. His seminal work, “Capitalism and Slavery,” was published in 1944 and remains a critical text in the study of the economic history of slavery.

3. Williams founded the People’s National Movement (PNM) in 1956, which became the dominant political party in Trinidad and Tobago.

4. He was a lecturer at Howard University in Washington D.C., where he influenced many students with his insights on Caribbean history and politics.

5. Eric Williams was a key figure in the establishment of the University of the West Indies, particularly its campus in Trinidad and Tobago.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Eric Williams

1. “History is the memory of a nation.”

2. “The British West Indies must be prepared for the fact of political independence. Self-government is not enough.”

3. “The blackest thing in slavery was not the black man’s chains, but the white man’s mind.”

4. “Education must not simply teach work – it must teach Life.”

5. “There can be no Mother India for those whose ancestors came from India. There can be no Mother Africa for those of African origin. There can be no Mother England and no dual loyalties. There can be no Mother China, even if one could agree on where China is to be found.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Eric Williams’ net worth is not well-documented, as his contributions were more scholarly and political rather than financial.

Children

Eric Williams had one daughter, Erica Williams Connell, who has been active in preserving and promoting her father’s legacy through the Eric Williams Memorial Collection.