Edward Ricardo Braithwaite, author of the book, ‘To Sir, With Love’ that was made into the popular 1967 film, starring Sidney Poitier, was conferred a national award when President Donald Ramotar performed the duty of bestowing him with the Cacique Crown of Honour.
“I am surprised, because I did not expect an award. I don’t know that I have done anything to deserve the award, but I am grateful for what the award represents,” Braithwaite, who served as a diplomat in the formative years of Guyana’s independence, told members of the media following a simple investiture ceremony at the Office of the President.
The award comes the morning after Mr. Braithwaite joined a live audience to witness a Guyanese re-enactment of the play based on his novel at the National Cultural Centre (NCC).
He spoke with admiration about the instrumental way in which the play was tailored to suit the Guyanese audience and hailed the director and cast for an admirable job.
The book is based on Braithwaite’s experience as a schoolteacher in the East End of London some years after he attained a Bachelor’s Degree and a doctorate in Physics at the University of Cambridge.
Mr. Braithwaite, a former student of Queen’s College, and then the City College of New York, became a member of the Order of Service of Guyana.
President Ramotar said he was honoured to bestow the Cacique Crown of Honour on “a man who has made us proud and has made Guyana’s name famous through his writing.” He also made reference to Braithwaite’s tenure as a diplomat and the distinction with which he served.