In Memoriam: Barbados Historian Trevor Marshall Mourned by Colleagues and Friends
March 7, 2025
Barbados historian Trevor Marshall, known as the "people's historian," passed away, leaving a significant impact on the community. His funeral will be held at St John Parish Church.
The head of Barbados’ history fraternity has been chopped off.
With this ominous declaration, historian Morris Greenidge mourned the loss of his “younger brother” Trevor Marshall, who passed away last month.
Yesterday at the viewing of the body at The Clock Tower, Main Guard, Garrison, St Michael, Greenidge said: “In the last month or so, we’ve lost Karl [Watson], Pedro [Welch] and now Trevor – the people’s historian. The head of history has been chopped off.”
Greenidge recalled meeting Marshall in 1970 and forming a lifelong friendship. He said Marshall encouraged him after he wrote his first book, adding he was also a driving force calling for the removal of Nelson’s statue in Bridgetown.
The historian said one little-known fact was that Marshall toured primary schools around Independence, visiting several schools a day.
“This is like losing a brother, a younger brother and, of course, also somebody who supported me. He’s irreplaceable,” he said.
The viewing was coorganised by Carl Padmore, a relative of Marshall’s. There was a television depicting memories of the late historian as well as folk singing.
“We are finding out some things we didn’t even know about him, such as his big impact on the Barbados Community College and the National Cultural Foundation. He touched many lives and we are pleased he made such a big contribution to Barbados,” Padmore said.
The funeral will take place today at St John Parish Church from 3 p.m.
Padmore said Marshall hailed from St John so it was a “no-brainer” to have his burial there. As for why the viewing was held at the Clock Tower, he said Marshall was once a cadet and marched during the 50th anniversary celebrations alongside Mac Fingall. ( CA)
