Thomas, Elean (1947–2004)

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Thomas, Elean (1947–2004)

Jamaican poet and activist. Born Sept 18, 1947, in St. Catherine, Jamaica; died May 27, 2004; dau. of David Thomas (Pentecostal bishop); mother was a health worker; attended University of the West Indies and Goldsmiths College, London; m. Lord Gifford (radical lawyer, div. 1998); children: (adopted) daughter.

Worked as a reporter for Jamaica Gleaner; served on the executive of Press Association of Jamaica; was a founder-member of Workers Party of Jamaica; sat on editorial board of Prague-based World Marxist Review; protested the US invasion of Grenada (1983); published 1st poetry collection, Word Rhythms from the Life of a Woman (1986), followed by Before They Can Speak of Flowers (1988); wrote novel The Last Room (1991), which won the Ruth Hadden Prize.

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Thomas, Elean (1947–2004)

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