News from the OPM

Prime Minister Holness Hails the Late Professor the Honourable Sir Fitzroy (Roy) Richard Augier, OJ as Academic Giant Visionary and Pioneer


Prime Minister Holness Hails the Late Professor the Honourable Sir Fitzroy (Roy) Richard Augier, OJ as Academic Giant Visionary and Pioneer

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the passing of Professor the Honourable Sir Fitzroy (Roy) Richard Augier, OJ is a major loss to the academic, historical, literary, Jamaican and Caribbean communities.

A renowned historian and educator, Professor Sir Roy Augier, died this morning. He was one hundred years old.

Professor Augier played a crucial role in shaping the narrative of Jamaica and Caribbean history, authored several seminal works chronicling the history of our peoples, and was a central figure in academic excellence for more than 60 years. Born in St. Lucia, Sir Roy made Jamaica his home in the 1950s following his studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

In his tribute, Prime Minister Holness said:

“Professor Augier was a pioneer, a visionary, the consummate educator whose life was dedicated to illuminating the lived history of our ancestors and shaping the narrative and knowledge of generations of Jamaican and Caribbean people. The adjectives to describe his work and impact would be too voluminous. As a researcher, professor and Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies Prof inspired generations of scholars and leaders. His groundbreaking research and publications on our history and culture are testament to his tireless pursuit of knowledge. Indeed, one of his most famous and far-reaching authored work ‘The Making of the West Indies’ is required reading and high school text across secondary and tertiary institutions in Jamaica and the region. We salute the gentle giant he was and honour his legacy by continuing to learn from his work and emulate his exemplary dedication to education, leadership and nation-building.”

Professor the Honourable Sir Fitzroy Roy Augier was awarded the Order of Jamaica in 2014 for his outstanding contribution to education, history and nation building.

Prime Minister Holness has extended condolences to the family of the late Professor Augier as well as his friends and the UWI academic community.