ALFRED  McDONALD  CLARKE

DATE OF BIRTH: August 13, 1912
PLACE OF BIRTH: Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
EDUCATION:
  • St. Margaret's EC School
  • Pamphilian High School
  • London University (BA in History, 1930)
  • CAREER:                                 Clarke became a pupil teacher in January 1930 after completing high school. He was the author of several poems and short stories and was a regular contributor to the Literary Section of the Trinidad Guardian in the 1930s. He left the teaching profession for a short time during World War II to work as a fireman on an oil tanker that sailed in the Caribbean. In 1943, he published the first anthology of Trinidad poems which included the work of others. In 1950, he gained an external BA in History from London University and travelled to England to pursue a degree in law. He returned to Trinidad in 1962 and taught secondary school before setting up his law practice. In 2000, he was named the first Poet Laureate of Port-of-Spain. His published works include:
    • 2000 - Best Poems of Trinidad (1943)
    AWARD:
    • 1999 - Poets of the City of Port-of-Spain Award (Port-of-Spain City Corporation)
    DIED: December 8, 2001
    Compiled by Ronald C. Emrit