From left: Dr. Terry Tudor, a relative of Sir James; Sir Jonathan Phillips, Warden of Keble College; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxine McClean; Permanent Secretary, Cecile Humphrey; and High Commissioner for Barbados to London, Guy Hewitt pose with the portrait of Sir James Cameron Tudor. (MFAFT)


Keble College of the University of Oxford in England has unveiled a new oil portrait in its Dining Hall honouring alumnus Sir James Cameron Tudor, the first person of Caribbean descent to be elected President of the Oxford Union in 1942.

The portrait was unveiled by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, to coincide with St. Mark’s Day, John Keble’s birth in 1792, and the laying of the Keble Foundation Stone in 1868.

Senator McClean was accompanied by Barbados’ High Commissioner to London, Guy Hewitt; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cecile Humphrey; Minister Counsellor, Euclid Goodman; and Dr Terry Tudor, a relative of Sir James.

In brief remarks, the Minister stated: “We are very proud of our former Deputy Prime Minister’s achievements during his time at Oxford. Sir James was a trailblazer who has left an important legacy. We are delighted that Keble College is recognising the contribution he made with this lasting memorial.”

Warden of Keble College, Sir Jonathan Phillips, stated: “The College is very pleased that the achievements of such a distinguished individual are being recognised in this way. It signals the College’s wish to celebrate the diversity of its alumni and student body.”

Sir James was one of the Caribbean’s most influential diplomats and politicians. He was a founding member of the Democratic Labour Party of Barbados, and served as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Education, High Commissioner to Britain, and Ambassador to the United Nations. He attended Keble College in 1940 to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and served as President of the Oxford Union from 1942 to 1943.

In October 2016, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart visited Keble College as part of a series of events to celebrate Barbados’ 50th Anniversary of Independence. The Prime Minister was subsequently elected an Honorary Fellow of the College.

Sir James’ portrait by Anthony Oakshett joins that of the Right Excellent Norman Washington Manley, a student at Jesus College in 1914, whose portrait by the late Barrington Watson hangs in Milner Hall, Rhodes House, at Oxford University.

julie.carrington@barbados.gov.bb

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