Background
Thomas MacDermot was born in 1870 in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica, the third of five children of an Anglican cleric, and spent much of his childhood in Trelawny. His father died young, leaving his family impoverished.
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Thomas MacDermot
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Thomas MacDermot attended the Church of England Grammar School in Kingston, Jamaica.
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Thomas MacDermot was educated at the Falmouth Academy.
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Thomas MacDermot attended the Church of England Grammar School in Kingston, Jamaica.
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Thomas MacDermot was educated at the Falmouth Academy.
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Thomas Henry MacDermot
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also known as
Tom Redcam
Education
Thomas MacDermot was educated at the Falmouth Academy and after that he attended the Church of England Grammar School in Kingston, Jamaica.
Career
As a young man Thomas MacDermot taught at school and worked as a journalist, becoming editor of the Jamaica Times in 1904. His position on the newspaper brought him some degree of influence among Jamaicans, and he encouraged his young readers to write and to publish their own works.
Redcam’s first published works were his three novels, Becka’s Buckra Baby (1903). One Brown Girl and ... (1909) and Martha Brae (1918), all of which explore problems specific to Jamaican life. The longest of Redcam’s narrative poems, San Gloria, relates with power and originality the poet’s vision of the founding of Jamaica and has become the classic folk history of the island.
In 1923 Redcam moved to England for health reasons. At the time of his death ten years later, the Poetry League of Jamaica was preparing to name him Jamaica’s first Poet Laureate; the title was conferred posthumously. While Redcam’s works no longer enjoy great popularity, many of his poems survive as the lyrics of patriotic songs.
Achievements
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Thomas Henry MacDermot, known by the pseudonym Tom Redcam, is widely referred to as “the father of Jamaican literature.” Although his works have been overshadowed by those of later, more technically adept Jamaican authors, they remain important as prototypes of a native literature. His importance lies not so much in the reputation of his own works as in the response they inspired among succeeding generations of Jamaican writers who, building upon Redcam’s achievements, brought Jamaican literature to the attention of the world.
Views
Writing at a time when his country’s art forms were dominated by European influences, Thomas explored uniquely Jamaican themes in his fiction and celebrated Jamaica's natural beauty in his poetry.
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
Any consideration of the poetry of Jamaica must, of necessity, begin with Tom Redcam. ... He laid its foundations, he did much toward the rearing of its super-structure. ... Of the poetry that is undeniably Jamaican in its impulses, that draws its life and colour from Jamaica’s sun and air, its streams, its blue skies, its wooded hills, and flower-filled valleys, Tom Redcam is the founder. Through the barren, dreary years he stood almost single handed as its defender and preserver, until a few spirits, touched with a kindred fire, joined him in service.” - J. E. Clare McFarlane
“Redcam’s poetry and fiction are disappointing, but his activity helps to illustrate the connection between national feeling and the growth of a literature. He remains an important figure in our literary history because of the attempt he made to encourage writing and to create a book-buying public in Jamaica in the early years of this century.” - Kenneth Ramchand
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Born
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Died
October 8, 1933 (aged 63) -
Nationality
Jamaican
Career
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1903
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1922