Marion Patrick Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marion Patrick Jones
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Marion Patrick Jones (2016)
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| Born | Marion Patrick Jones 16 August 1931 Woodbrook, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Died | 2 March 2016 (aged 84) Port of Spain, Trinidad |
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| Occupation | Novelist |
| Nationality | Trinidadian |
| Notable works |
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Marion Patrick Jones (born August 16, 1931 – died March 2, 2016) was a writer from Trinidad and Tobago. She wrote novels and non-fiction. She also studied how societies work, which is called social anthropology.
Marion Patrick Jones was also known by her other names: Marion Glean and Marion O'Callaghan. She lived in Britain in the 1960s. During that time, she worked to help the black community. Her two main novels are Pan Beat (1973) and J'Ouvert Morning (1976).
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Early Life and Learning
Marion Patrick Jones was born in Woodbrook, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. This was in 1931. She went to St Joseph's Convent. This was a Catholic school for girls.
In 1950, she won a special scholarship. She came in third place in the Girls' Open Island Scholarship. Later, she was one of the first two women to study at the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture.
Studying in New York and Britain
In the 1950s, Jones moved to New York City. She earned a diploma in library science there. She paid for her studies by painting ceramics in a factory. She also helped to start a trade union for workers.
After her studies, she returned to Trinidad. She became a professional librarian. She worked as a Senior Librarian at Carnegie Library in San Fernando.
In the 1960s, she continued her education in Britain. She earned a science degree from the University of London. She then studied social anthropology at the London School of Economics. Her research focused on the Chinese community in Trinidad.
Working for Change in Britain
While in Britain, Marion Jones was known as Marion Glean. She was a pacifist, meaning she believed in peace. She was also a Quaker, a member of a Christian group that promotes peace.
She played a big part in helping the black community. She helped create statements about "race" before the 1964 United Kingdom general election. These statements were published in a newspaper called Peace News.
Starting a New Movement
After the election, Glean brought together different people. These included pacifists and activists. They formed a discussion group called Multi-Racial Britain.
In December 1964, something important happened. Martin Luther King Jr. was going to Stockholm for the Nobel Peace Prize. Marion Glean arranged for him to visit London. He spoke at a meeting chaired by David Pitt.
At this meeting, about 30 people from different backgrounds met. They included people from India, Pakistan, the West Indies, and Africa. Dr. King spoke for a short time. This meeting led to the creation of a new movement. It was called the Campaign Against Racial Discrimination (CARD). Marion Glean was chosen as its secretary.
Her Books and Writings
From 1965 to 1990, Marion Jones worked for UNESCO in Paris. UNESCO is a part of the United Nations. During this time, she used her married name, Marion O'Callaghan. She wrote non-fiction, especially about Africa. She was in charge of UNESCO's program against apartheid. Apartheid was a system of racial separation in South Africa.
As Marion O'Callaghan, she wrote "Introductory Notes" for a book. This book was called Sociological Theories; Race and Colonialism (1980).
Her Novels
Marion Patrick Jones published her novels under her birth name. Her first novel, Pan Beat (1973), was about steelband music. It also showed how women helped develop it.
Her second novel, J’Ouvert Morning, came out in 1976. This book looked at the challenges faced by middle-class people in a society that used to be a colony.
Writers have praised her work. Lloyd W. Brown said her novels showed a "troubled society in a state of transition." Jennifer Rahim noted her important work in understanding the Trinidadian urban middle class.
Her writings also appear in several collections. These include Her True-True Name (1989) and Daughters of Africa (1992).
After retiring from UNESCO in 1990, she lived in Trinidad. She passed away at her home in Port of Spain on March 2, 2016, at age 84.
Her Family Connections
Marion Patrick Jones came from a notable family. Her father was Patrick Jones (1876–1965). He was of African and Chinese heritage. He was a leading trade unionist in Trinidad. A trade union helps workers get fair treatment.
Her father was also a famous calypso singer. He was known as "Cromwell, the Lord Protector." He sang what he called the first political calypso in 1920. He was also the first person to make fireworks in Trinidad and Tobago.
Marion Patrick Jones was married twice. First, to Benedict Glean. Later, to Maurice O'Callaghan. Maurice O'Callaghan came from Cork, Ireland. He helped start Presentation College in San Fernando after the Second World War.
