CASTRIES – Derek Walcott, the 1992 Nobel Prize winner for Literature, has been named among the first recipients of the knighthood by St Lucia as the island celebrates its 37th anniversary of political independence from Britain.
Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy Monday announced that Walcott, 86, who has won many literary awards, has been named a Knight Commander of the Order of St Lucia for “exceptional and outstanding service to national importance to St Lucia”.
Former prime minister and Professor at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Vaughan Lewis has also been named a Knight Commander of the Order of St Lucia.
Lewis, 76, began his academic career in 1963, and served as Deputy Director of the Institute of Social & Economic Research , UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, and then as University Director of the Institute – now Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies – at its Mona, Jamaica Campus.
Dr Lewis also taught political theory and international relations in the Department of Government, UWI, Mona and also at the Universities of Wales (Swansea), Liverpool, Florida International University and the University of Florida (Gainesville).
Dame Pearlette also announced that Lawrence Martha Priscilla Laurent had also received the award for exceptional and outstanding service to St Lucia.
The St Lucia Cross was awarded posthumously to Harold Calixte Simmons for distinguished service and contribution to Culture and the Arts.
Veteran journalist Earl Bousquet received the St Lucia Medal of Honour (Gold) for “outstanding contribution in the field of journalism”. (CMC)
