E. R. Braithwaite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
E. R. Braithwaite
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Braithwaite in 1962
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| Born | Eustace Edward Ricardo Braithwaite June 27, 1912 Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana) |
| Died | December 12, 2016 (aged 104) Rockville, Maryland, U.S. |
| Occupation | Novelist, writer, diplomat, teacher, pilot |
| Alma mater | City College of New York (B.S.) University of Cambridge (MSc) |
| Genre | Fiction, literature |
| Partner | Genevieve Ast |
Eustace Edward Ricardo Braithwaite (June 27, 1912 – December 12, 2016), known as E. R. Braithwaite, was a writer, teacher, and diplomat. He was born in Guyana and later became a British-American citizen. He is famous for his stories about how people were treated unfairly because of their race. His most well-known book is To Sir, With Love (1959). This book was made into a popular movie in 1967, starring Sidney Poitier and Lulu.
Early Life and Education
E. R. Braithwaite was born in Georgetown, Guyana, on June 27, 1912. His parents both studied at Oxford University. He grew up in a home where education and achievement were very important. His father worked as a gold and diamond miner, and his mother managed their home.
Braithwaite went to Saint Ambrose Primary School and Queen's College, Guyana. He then studied at City College of New York, graduating in 1940. During World War II, he joined the Royal Air Force as a pilot. He later wrote that he felt no unfair treatment because of his skin color during his time in the Air Force. After the war, he attended Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he earned a master's degree in physics.
Career Highlights
After World War II, even with his good education, Braithwaite found it hard to get a job in his field. He felt disappointed and decided to become a school teacher in the East End of London. His book, To Sir, With Love (1959), is based on his real experiences teaching there. The book won an Anisfield-Wolf Book Award.
The book was made into a film called To Sir, with Love in 1967. Sidney Poitier played the main character. The movie was very popular, but many critics and Braithwaite himself thought it was too emotional. He also didn't like that the film changed some parts of his story, especially about the main character's relationships. In 2007, he said he "detested" the movie.
While writing his book about teaching, Braithwaite also started working in social services. He helped find foster homes for non-white children in London. This experience led to his book Paid Servant: A Report About Welfare Work in London (1962). Braithwaite continued to write novels and short stories while working as an education expert for UNESCO around the world.
He became the first person to represent Guyana at the United Nations from 1967 to 1969. In 1968, he was chosen to lead the United Nations Council for South West Africa. Later, he served as Guyana's Ambassador to Venezuela.
In 1973, South Africa allowed Braithwaite's books to be sold there, and he visited the country. While there, he was given the special status of "honorary white." This meant he had more freedom than black South Africans, but less than white people. He found this situation unfair and wrote about his six weeks in South Africa in his book Honorary White (1975).
Braithwaite also taught English studies at New York University. In 2002, he was a writer-in-residence at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He also visited Manchester Community College (Connecticut) as a professor in 2005–06 and gave their graduation speech.
In 2012, Braithwaite turned 100 years old. During a visit to Guyana, he received a national award called the Cacique Crown of Honour from President Donald Ramotar.
In 2013, Braithwaite saw the first live play based on his book To Sir, With Love. The play was written by Ayub Khan Din and performed in Northampton, England. This was the first time his book was adapted for the theater.
Personal Life and Legacy
E. R. Braithwaite lived in Washington, D.C., with his partner, Genevieve Ast.
He passed away at the Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville, Maryland, on December 12, 2016. He was 104 years old. His books and work continue to inspire people and teach about important social issues.
See also
- List of teachers portrayed in films
- List of centenarians (authors, poets and journalists)
