The Alma Jordan Library, The University of the West Indies
Rudranath Capildeo Letters
SC41
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- The Alma Jordan Library, The University of the West Indies
- Title
- Rudranath Capildeo Letters
- ID
- SC41
- Date
- 1964-1969
- Extent
- 28.0 items.
- Language
- English
Preferred Citation note
Rudranath Capildeo Letters. The Alma Jordan Library, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago.
Biographical/Historical note
Dr. Rudranath Capildeo, mathematician, lawyer and politician, rose to prominence when he became political leader of the Democratic Labour Party in 1960. He was seen by the party hierarchy as someone who had the intellectual ability and status to match Dr. Eric Williams of the People's National Movement. He was, however, basically an academic and chose to remain as a lecturer at The University of London, managing the party as an absentee political leader. He lost his seat in the 1967 elections, was removed as leader of the party and died shortly after (1970) in London.
Scope and Contents note
The collection comprises twenty-eight (28) letters, fifteen (15) of which were written by Capildeo himself while he was a lecturer at University College, London. Capildeo wrote thirteen of these letters to Alloy Lequay, then secretary of the DLP. Vernon Jamadar and Thomas Bleasdell, DLP parliamentarians, were the other two recipients. The letters lend an insight into Capildeo as politician. They reveal his difficult and ultimately unsuccessful attempts to lead the party from faraway Britain. The letters also depict Capildeo as scholar: his delight when his work was published and the struggle to balance academia and politics. Most of the letters to Capildeo were written by Lequay, who expressed his disapproval of Capildeo's refusal to stay in Trinidad and Tobago.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
The Alma Jordan Library, The University of the West Indies
St. Augustine Campus868-662-2002 Ext.82132
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The collection was in the possession of Mr Alloy Lequay, Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board. He donated it to The University of the West Indies Library in May 2001.
Controlled Access Headings
Geographic Name(s)
- Trinidad and Tobago -- History -- 20th century
- Trinidad and Tobago -- Politics and government
Personal Name(s)
- Capildeo, Rudranath, 1920-1970
- Lequay, Alloy R.
Subject(s)
- Political parties
Collection Inventory
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12th October 1964: Alloy Lequay to Capildeo: Organisation of the political party (DLP) |
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24th October 1964: Alloy Lequay to Capildeo: Party membership card |
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9th November 1964: Capildeo to Alloy Lequay: Indicates that he is to return to Trinidad in the next month. |
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25th November 1964: Alloy Lequay to Capildeo: Mobilisation of the party for his return and public gatherings. |
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12th March 1965: Alloy Lequay to Capildeo: Planning of May Day celebrations; state of emergency in the sugar belt (Central Trinidad) |
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14th April 1965: Alloy Lequay to Capildeo: Requests a greeting from him for the May Day celebrations and indicates that there are parliamentary issues. |
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22nd April 1965: Capildeo to Alloy Lequay: He sends his May Day message. The text of the message is not included. |
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10th February 1966: Capildeo to Alloy Lequay: Refers to the formation of a branch of their organisation in London; his lunch with the Queen. |
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3rd April 1966: Capildeo to Alloy Lequay: Provides an update on the activities of the London branch of the party. |
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6th April 1966: Capildeo to Alloy Lequay: Expresses concerns about his duties abroad and the timing of his return to Trinidad. |
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21st April 1966: Lequay, Alloy and Vernon Jamadar; Delay in his return to Trinidad and commentary on 'Bhadase' |
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20th June 1966: Capildeo to Alloy Lequay: Discusses his pending visit. |
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4th July 1966 : Capildeo to Alloy Lequay: Indicating his expected date of arrival. |
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3rd February 1967: Capildeo to Alloy Lequay: He mentions an issue which seems to concern both him and Dr. Williams. |
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28th February 1967: Capildeo to Alloy Lequay: Motion of no confidence; return to Trinidad |
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15th May 1967: Alloy Lequay to Capildeo: The issue of him running the party from abroad is addressed. Lequay expresses concern. |
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23 May 1967: Capildeo to Alloy Lequay: He disagrees with Mr. Lequay on the issue of him running the party from abroad. |
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15 th June 1967: Capildeo to Thomas Bleasdell: Expresses his thoughts on the voting machines; mentions break through in his research. |
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15th June 1967: Capildeo to Vernon Jamadar: Speaks about his decision to stay silent and his disagreement with the voting machines; |
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15th June 1967: Capildeo to Alloy Lequay: Issues addressed: Voting machines and their strategy of silence; his being absent from the sitting of the House of Representatives. |
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29th June 1967: General Secretary (DLP) to Capildeo: A request for guidance and his thoughts on the parliamentary situation. |
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30th June 1967: Alloy Lequay to Capildeo: On his seat becoming vacant in parliament. |
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3rd July 1967: Capildeo to Alloy Lequay: His reaction on his seat being declared vacant and his recommendations for party action. |
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6th July 1967: Governor General's Office to Alloy Lequay: On the seat held by Rudranath Capildeo |
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8th July 1967: Alloy Lequay to Capildeo: On the actions taken by the party to secure his seat. |
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12th [July] 1967: General Secretary (DLP) to Capildeo: Request for Official correspondence and acknowledgement of letter 29th June 1967 |
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31st July 1969: General Secretary (DLP) to Capildeo: Letter indicating that he was relieved of his office of Political leader of the DLP. |
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Undated. Letter to the House Speaker showing that members of the DLP are supporting Mr. Vernon Jamadar as Opposition leader |
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