H. G. de Lisser
H. G. de Lisser was a prominent Jamaican novelist and journalist, celebrated for his significant contributions to Caribbean literature and his deep engagement with social issues. As one of the earliest English-speaking novelists from the region, he provided an insider's perspective on Jamaican society, often weaving political themes into his narratives. Born into a well-respected family in Jamaica, de Lisser faced personal challenges early in life, including the death of his father, which led him to leave school at a young age. He began his professional career in journalism, quickly ascending to the role of chief editor at the Daily Gleaner, where he was influential in shaping public discourse through his regular column "Random Jottings."
In addition to his editorial work, de Lisser founded the magazine Planters' Punch, through which he serialized stories and showcased his literary talent. His writing, which often explored themes of oppression and resistance, earned him accolades, including the Silver Musgrave Medal and the title of Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. De Lisser's legacy as a public figure and literary pioneer in Jamaica endures, with his works providing valuable insights into the island's cultural and historical landscape.
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H. G. de Lisser
Writer
- Born: December 9, 1878
- Birthplace: Falmouth, Jamaica
- Died: May 18, 1944
- Place of death: Kingston, Jamaica
Biography
H. G. de Lisser was known not only for his literary achievements but also for his involvement in his community. Many of his novels were political discussions of the social and historical realities of Jamaican society. De Lisser was one of the first notable English-speaking novelists of the Caribbean and was also the first author to present Jamaica from an insider’s perspective.
De Lisser was born to H. G. de Lisser, owner and editor of the Falmouth newspaper The Trelawny, and Miss Isaacs, who was of a highly-regarded Kingston family. He started at a private school in Falmouth and later attended secondary school in Kingston. De Lisser left school when his father died and never finished his education. At the age of fourteen, de Lisser was forced to find a job; he started as an assistant in the library of the Institute of Jamaica. At the library, he took advantage of the resources available to expand his reading and better educate himself. Soon after, he was hired as a proofreader at the Daily Gleaner and worked his way to be an associate editor in 1903. One year later, de Lisser was made chief editor, a title that he held until his retirement in 1942. Several years after he started at the newspaper, de Lisser married Ellen Guenther in 1909.
De Lisser started an annual magazine in 1920 called Planters’ Punch. He was its editor and made sure to include one of his own long stories or novels in each issue. From 1937 to 1944, de Lisser wrote and serialized stories and novels for the magazine. During his time as editor of the Daily Gleaner, de Lisser kept a regular column called “Random Jottings,” a chance for him to comment on current events in a funny or satirical way. He grew to be greatly honored in Jamaica as a journalist and writer from 1903 to 1944. De Lisser’s writing achievements were recognized when he was awarded the Silver Musgrave Medal in 1919 and the Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George in 1920.
The first three novels by de Lisser focused on Jamaican history and society and on the country’s tendencies toward oppression and resistance. His editing job had a great deal of influence on his writing, and current affairs provided material for his first few books. The last book to be published during de Lisser’s lifetime was Under the Sun: A Jamaican Comedy but no one was soon to forget about his numerous writings. De Lisser worked hard to make himself an eminent public figure of Jamaica and succeeded greatly.