Celebrating our literary ancestors (Part II)
A R F Webber (1880 – 1932)
AS WE CONTINUE this ritual of looking backwards and forwards; as we continue to celebrate our literary ancestors, a new book has surfaced to provide us with an ample view of a most remarkable man in Guyanese history, business, economics, politics, constitution, media, and literature.

The name of that book is ‘CARIBBEAN VISIONARY: A R F WEBBER AND THE MAKING OF THE GUYANESE NATION’. It is written by Dr Selwyn R Cudjoe and published by the University Press of Mississippi, USA. Cudjoe is professor of Africana Studies at Wellesley College where he teaches courses on the African-American Literary Tradition, African Literature, Black Women Writers, and Caribbean literature. In the 1988 Calaloux Publications reprint of Webber’s novel, ‘THOSE THAT BE IN BONDAGE’, Cudjoe wrote a 20-page introduction which was engaging and elucidating. He is the author of ‘BEYOND BOUNDARIES: THE INTELLECTUAL TRADITION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO IN THE 19TH CENTURY’; ‘RESISTANCE AND CARIBBEAN LITERATURE’; and ‘THE ROLE OF RESISTANCE IN THE CARIBBEAN NOVEL’ among other books, and his work has appeared in the Trinidad and Tobago Review; Callaloo; New Left Review; Harvard Educational Review; and Essence.

This new book traces the life of Albert Raymond Forbes Webber (1880-1932), a distinguished Caribbean scholar, statesman, legislator, and novelist. Using Webber as a lens, the book outlines the Guyanese struggle for justice and equality in an age of colonialism, imperialism, and indentureship. In this fascinating work, Cudjoe examines Webber’s emergence from the interior of Guyana to become a major presence in Caribbean politics.

‘CARIBBEAN VISIONARY’ examines Webber’s insightful novel, ‘THOSE THAT BE IN BONDAGE’, his travel writings, and his poetry. The book chronicles his formation of the West Indian Press Association, his work on British Guiana’s Constitution, and his championing of its people’s causes. Cudjoe studies Webber’s work with the British Guiana Labour Union to improve the conditions of the Guyanese working people, and Webber’s authorship of the Centenary History and Handbook of British Guiana.

An important addition to Caribbean intellectual history, ‘CARIBBEAN VISIONARY’ is an indispensable work for scholars interested in the Region’s literature, political science, and economic thought. It is also an invaluable resource for those who wish to understand the genesis of contemporary Guyana and the English-speaking Caribbean.

A R F Webber was born on the island of Tobago on January 1, 1880, to James Francis Webber and Sarah, nee Hope. He married Beatrice Elizabeth Glasford, a union that produced Ivy Forbes Webber and Edith Forbes Webber.

Some 20 years after he was born, he came to live in British Guiana at a crucial and exciting period of its history. In his own words, he described that era as not being “jejune or insipid.” He was a witness to many changes and innovations, like the introduction of the electric tram service; the 1905 and 1924 riots; the end of East Indian Immigration; the first issue of $1 and $2 paper money; educational reforms; the great rice embargo; the glory days of sugar and its greatest decline; and the ‘abrogation of the 1891 Constitution’.

Webber died while on duty; he died on Wednesday June 29, 1932 on a steamer going to Bartica. Webber lived a colourful life, even unto death. At the funeral, his grave was strewn with red roses.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

What’s happening:
* Book your copy of The Guyana Annual from Guyenterprise Ltd, or from the editor. Sample the writing of a new brigade of writers; sample features on Carifesta X, Edutainment, 100 years of rice in Guyana, and fillers on Home Economics, household tips, Guyanese proverbs and much, much more and a special tribute on Edgar Mittelholzer as we commemorate the writer’s 100th birth anniversary with exciting new photographs, and handwritten tributes from the 1960s.

* Just received: ‘Roll Over’, a novel by Malcolm Alves via suitcase of mutual acquaintance, and awaiting: ‘Caribbean Visionary – A R F Webber and the Making of the Guyanese Nation’ by Selwyn R. Cudjoe.