‘JD’ Elder — cultural icon — is dead

FORMER Senator and member of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Dr Jacob Delworth Elder, fondly called “JD,” passed away yesterday.

Edler, who would have celebrated his 89th birthday on October 31, was married in 1945 to Nevada Louise Bryan. He has one son and a daughter. He was educated at the Charlotteville Western School and obtained his teachers’ certificate in 1940 and his diploma in 1950. He served as the administrative assistant at the Extra Mural Department at UWI in 1950. Years before he served as an assistant teacher at the Mt St George Methodist school. He was also a research fellow and lecturer at the UWI, a point professor in Sociology and Anthropology at Temple University, Pennsylvania, in 1970 and a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Illinois, Urbana.

Elder was a former chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Ethno Society and a member of the International Folk Music Council, as well as a representative of the standing cultural council of the Organisation of the America States in 1969. He enjoyed cricket, fishing and shooting. An anthropologist by training, Dr Elder, was well known for his forthrightness on political issues and was appointed as councillor at the first session of the modern day Tobago House of Assembly. He, however, would be remembered as the co-founder of the popular Tobago Heritage Festival.

Former President Arthur NR Robinson has expressed his condolences on the death of Dr Elder. In a statement, Robinson said JD was regarded as a father of the Tobago Heritage Festival, which he conceived and developed. Robinson said JD “never renounced his roots in Charlotteville, where he was born and from which he derived his sustenance.” Robinson added that he admired JD since “I was a schoolboy.” Robinson further pointed out that JD’s contribution to the life in TT was comprehensive and would be remembered with admiration and affection by all who had the opportunity to know him.