Dr. Gregor Ernest Williams: Crusader for History and Culture of Saint Lucia

Dr. Gregor Ernest Williams (DLitt)

The members of the Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre (FRC) join other citizens of Saint Lucia to express our deepest sense of loss on the passing of one of our country’s best historians, a brilliant intellectual and passionate guardian of the heritage and natural environment of the island.

Dr Gregor Ernest Williams died on Monday December 15th at the age of 89. Born in Soufriere, he dedicated his entire life to education, imparting well-researched knowledge of Saint Lucian history and helping to develop critical minds. He traversed the entire island, safeguarding its cultural and historic sites and artifacts, challenging the established narratives of Saint Lucian history while encouraging all of us to guard our identity and cultural resources.

He first taught mathematics and science at St. Mary’s College before leaving Saint Lucia for studies and work in Canada. He was appointed principal of the Vieux Fort Senior Secondary School (VFSS), from 1970, where he was instrumental in the implementation of an education programme which resulted in the VFSS producing top national scholars and athletes in Saint Lucia.

Following his sojourn at the VFSS, and a short stint at the Ministry of education, Dr. Williams dedicated his entire life and energy to the campaign for the establishment of a national museum of Saint Lucia. In this regard he used his active membership in agencies such as the Saint Lucia Archaeological and Historical Society, the Trust (St Lucia National Trust), the FRC and the National Archives Authority to pursue the mission of public awareness on the need for a national museum to showcase the correct history and culture of the island. Gregor Williams served on committees of the UNESCO National Commission and was an integral part of national and regional movements in support of the people of Haiti and Cuba and for reparations for people of African descent whose foreparents were enslaved during the colonization of the West Indies.

Dr Williams was elected to the first Board of Directors of the FRC in 1985 following the incorporation of the organization into a not-for-profit company. He remained an active member of the FRC for over thirty-five years and was a critical voice in the governance and management of the FRC as an unyielding advocate for accountability in resources management and correctness in the representation of Saint Lucin history, culture and identity. He served in a wide range of capacities and roles, contributing significantly to the research, education and outreach programs of the organization. Gregor and his wife Deidre attended every activity and event which was hosted by the FRC.

Among the programmes in which he played a keys roles at the FRC were the five-year research in ethnography and ethnohistory of Saint Lucia in collaboration with the University of Vienna, the Diploma program in Creole Studies, Life Stories from Twentieth Century Saint Lucia. Dr. Williams provided advice to almost every Saint Lucian and non-nationals who were engaged in research on history and culture of the island.

He conducted many training sessions for the workers in the tourism sector. His research was meticulous and extensive and as a writer he contributed to several international publications, his most recent being an article, written jointly with his wife Deidre Williams entitled” Plowing the Seas: Jean Baptiste Bideau and the Revolution in the Americas “which was published in a book about Latin American and Caribbean leaders in February 2025.” He was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor Letters by the University of Sheffield in February 2009, in recognition of his distinguished work in education, history, and heritage conservation.

With the passing of Dr. Gregor Ernest Williams, Saint Lucia has lost a giant of an advocate for the preservation, management and promotion of Saint Lucian culture and heritage, an example of selfless commitment to the cause of the natural environment. His engagement in research and national development started with the National Research and Development Foundation (NRDF) – formerly the Caribbean Research Centre. Thereafter Dr. Williams became an active member of every agency which was involved in history and culture, and remained an active member until his passing.

A number of the leading heritage and culture organizations have joined in an effort to pay tribute to the life and work of Dr. Gregor Ernest Williams. The evening of tributes and recollections will be held at the National Cultural Centre at Barnards Hill on Tuesday 6th January 2026 from 6.00 p.m. Members of the public are invited to join in this celebratory event which will also be livestreamed.

The agencies which are collaborating in the hosting of the event include the Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre; The Trust, the Saint Lucia Archaeological and Historical Society; The Ministry of Tourism, Investment, Culture and Heritage; the Saint Lucia National Archives Authority; the UNESCO National Commission, the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF).

The funeral service of Dr. Williams will be held at the Minor Basilica of The Immaculate Conception in Castries on Thursday January 8th at 2.30 pm, and he will be buried at the Choc cemetery.