Renowned Jamaican poet, lecturer, scholar, and author Professor Edward Baugh has died.
He passed away on Saturday at the age of 87. His cause of death, however, was not disclosed.
Throughout his decades-long career, Baugh made formidable contributions to Caribbean literature.
He gained recognition as one of the poets featured in ‘Seven Jamaican Poets’ (1971), and his works have been published in various collections, including ‘From Our Yard’ and ‘The Penguin Book of Caribbean Verse’.
Notably, Baugh was regarded as a distinguished scholar of Caribbean poetry, specifically on the works of St Lucian Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott. The Jamaican even edited Walcott’s ‘Selected Poems’ in 2007. In 1978, Baugh authored the first book-length study of the poet’s work, ‘Derek Walcott: Memory as Vision’.
A dedicated UWI professor
Baugh was a professor emeritus of English at the University of West Indies, having dedicated over 30 years to the institution.
The Portland native was a student at the then-University College of the West Indies and later did postgraduate studies at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, and at the University of Manchester, where he earned a PhD in 1964.
He taught at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies from 1965 to 1967, then at the university’s Mona campus from 1968 to 2001, eventually being appointed professor of English in 1978 and public orator in 1985.
Baugh’s remarkable career was recognised with numerous accolades, including Jamaica’s fifth highest honour, the Order of Distinction, and the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in 1995.
He also received the Institute of Jamaica Silver Musgrave Medal, the UWI Guild of Graduates’ Pelican Award, and the Institute of Jamaica Gold Musgrave Medal.
Professor Baugh is survived by his widow, Shelia and two daughters, Sarah and Katherine.
Tributes to the literary giant
Several Jamaican officials paid tribute to Baugh on social media following news of his death.
In a post on Facebook, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Entertainment, Gender and Sports, Olivia Grange, expressed condolences to Baugh’s family and friends.
“The voice of Professor Baugh has now gone quiet, but the body of great works he leaves behind is a worthy legacy to Jamaica,” Grange stated.
Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness wrote on Instagram: “Professor Edward Baugh’s impact on Jamaican literature and his insightful contributions to understanding Derek Walcott’s work have left an enduring mark on our cultural heritage.
“As a nation, we were blessed and privileged to have witnessed the immense talent of Prof Baugh. … May the enduring legacy of his literary contributions and profound insights offer solace during these challenging times, and may his soul find eternal peace.”
