Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Eric Williams

Role / Field:

Trinidadian politician, 'Father of the Nation,' who led T&T to independence and republic status.

Born:

1911-09-25

Died:

1981-03-29

Century / Era:

1911s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Eric Eustace Williams (25 September 1911 – 29 March 1981) was a Trinidadian politician, who has been dubbed the "Father of the Nation" having led the then-British Colony of Trinidad and Tobago to majority rule on 28 October 1956, to independence on 31 August 1962, and republic status, on 1 August 1976, leading an unbroken string of general election victories with his political party, the People's National Movement, until his death in 1981. He represented Port of Spain South in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. He was the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and also a Caribbean historian, most noted for his Capitalism and Slavery. Williams was born on 25 September in 1911.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His father Thomas Henry Williams was a minor civil servant and devout Roman Catholic, and his mother Eliza Frances Boissiere (13 April 1888 – 1969) was a descendant of the mixed French Creole Mulatto elite and had African and French ancestry. She was a descendant of the notable de Boissière family in Trinidad. Eliza's paternal grandfather was John Boissiere, a married upper-middle class Frenchman who had an intimate relationship with an African slave named Ma Zu Zule. From the union, Jules...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Ahmed Urabi — Contemporary (Died in 1911) (1911): Pioneering Egyptian military and political leader who spearheaded the 'Urabi Revolt.
• Alfred Binet — Contemporary (Died in 1911) (1911): Pioneering French psychologist and inventor of the seminal Binet–Simon Intelligence Test.
• Aly Khan — Contemporary (Born in 1911) (1911): Diplomat, socialite, and former Pakistani Ambassador to the UN.
• Abigail Spencer — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): American actress, producer, and writer known for roles in soap operas and dramas.
• Adriana Lima — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): Iconic Brazilian model, celebrated for her long tenure as a Victoria's Secret Angel.
• Albert Cohen (novelist) — Contemporary (Died in 1981) (1981): Greek-born Swiss novelist who wrote in French, known for his memoirs and international work.
• Abraham Gottlob Werner — Shared historical date (09-25 · Born) (1749): Pioneering German geologist, known for establishing early theories of Earth's crust.
• Ambrogio Spinola — Shared historical date (09-25 · Died) (1630): Italian-Spanish nobleman and general, renowned for his military prowess in the Spanish Empire.
• Agnès Varda — Shared historical date (03-29 · Died) (2019): Pioneering French filmmaker, artist, and documentarian celebrated for her unique vision.
• Alexei Abrikosov (physicist) — Shared historical date (03-29 · Died) (2017): Pioneering theoretical physicist known for low-temperature condensed matter physics.
• 1911 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1911
• September 25 (09-25) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 25
• 1981 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1981
• March 29 (03-29) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 29

Frequently Asked Questions about Eric Williams