Caribbean historian Fitzroy Augier, ‘Mr. CXC’, dies at 100 years old

University of the West Indies Professor Emeritus of History, Sir Fitzroy “Roy” Augier, a towering figure in Caribbean academia, passed away on January 27, 2025, at the age of 100.

Renowned as a scholar, educator, activist, World War II veteran, and administrator, Sir Roy’s life was one of unparalleled contribution to the development of Caribbean history and education. Born in Castries, Saint Lucia, Sir Roy’s journey from an RAF gunner during World War II to one of the region’s most influential historians was extraordinary. After completing his service, he pursued an MA and PhD in History at St. Andrews University in Scotland, eventually settling in Jamaica, where he devoted more than 70 years to academia and regional development.

Joining the then University College of the West Indies (UCWI) in 1954 as a Research Fellow, Sir Roy became a cornerstone of the Department of History, later ascending to the role of Professor in 1989. His efforts, alongside colleagues like Douglas Hall and Rex Nettleford, were instrumental in establishing Caribbean History as a distinct discipline. His co-authored publications, such as The Making of the West Indies and the UNESCO-sponsored General History of the Caribbean, reshaped global perspectives on the region’s history.