Victor Stafford Reid
Victor Stafford Reid was a prominent Jamaican author and journalist, born on May 1, 1913, in Kingston, Jamaica. He had a diverse career that included work in advertising and farming, alongside his literary pursuits. Reid's writing deeply explores Jamaican history, culture, and the aspirations of its people, particularly the rural areas he identified with, despite residing in an affluent Kingston apartment. His novels often reflect significant historical events, such as the Morant Bay Rebellion, as seen in his first work, "New Day," which presents the remembrances of a nonagenarian protagonist, John Campbell.
Reid's literary contributions also include "The Jamaicans," set in the seventeenth century, which highlights the struggle for control between English and Spanish forces in Jamaica, focusing on the character of rebel leader Juan de Bolas. His novel "The Leopard" offers a nuanced perspective on the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, challenging prevailing negative narratives. Reid's last work, "Nanny-Town," published when he was 70, stands out as his only novel featuring a female protagonist, showcasing his admiration for Jamaican women. Through his writing, Reid aimed to inspire future generations and instill a renewed consciousness among Jamaicans regarding their heritage and identity.
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Subject Terms
Victor Stafford Reid
- Born: May 1, 1913
- Birthplace: Jamaica
- Died: August 25, 1987
Biography
Victor Stafford Reid was born on May 1, 1913, in Kingston, Jamaica. He was the son of Alexander Reid, who was in the shipping business, and Margaret Reid. As a youth, he traveled extensively, and he worked in the advertising business as well as becoming a journalist and farmer. In 1935, Reid married Monica Jacobs, and they had four children. Reid eventually became a senior officer during the administration of Herman Manley, the first prime minister of Jamaica. Although Reid lived in a luxurious apartment in Kingston, he identified himself with the more rural parts of the country.
Jamaica became the focus of Reid’s writing. He especially loved the mountainous areas of his country. The focus of his work was the history of the island, its people, and their hopes and desires. Reid believed that his writing would be greatly appreciated by future generations of Jamaican citizens. He wanted to bring a new consciousness to the country, and he believed that only time would bring his dream to fruition.
In his first novel, New Day, Reid introduced the voice of nonagenarian John Campbell, who recounts his reminiscences about Jamaican history from the Morant Bay Rebellion to the constitution of Jamaica, ratified in 1944. The novel recounts the rebellion of Jamaicans against English rule, long after the abolition of slavery. The novel chronicles Campbell’s own involvement in the revolution, and his attachment to a family with rising political and social standing.
Reid continued Campbell’s belief in the old ways of Jamaica in his novel The Jamaicans, published in 1976. The novel is set in seventeenth century Jamaica when the English and Spanish were both vying for control of the country. In this novel, Reid attempts to reestablish the memory of Juan de Bolas, a rebel leader who lived in the mountainous area of the Jamaica. The novel ends with a life-and-death conflict between de Bolas and his closest friend and ally, Pablo. The two are at odds over the question of whether to form an alliance with the English or the Spanish. Although the novel’s ending is somewhat ambiguous, it is the fate of the country that is at the heart of the novel.
Reid wrote only one book set outside of his native country. His novel The Leopard takes place in Kenya during the Mau Mau uprising. Reed attempts to counteract the negative portrayal of the Mau Mau in the British press by presenting a more sympathetic view of the conflict. The novel is considered as Reid’s most complex and compelling work. Reid’s final novel, Nanny-Town, was published when he was seventy years old. Although Reid always professed an admiration for Jamaican women, this was his only novel featuring a woman as the protagonist.