Eric Williams - Early Life

Early Life

Eric Eustace Williams was born on 25th September 1911. Williams' father was a minor civil servant, and his mother was a descendant of the French Creole elite. Eric Williams was a descendant of the de Boissiere family, which is known for its public service, charity, and focus on human rights. He was educated at Queen's Royal College in Port of Spain, where he excelled at academics and football. He won an island scholarship in 1932, which allowed him to attend St Catherine's Society, Oxford (which subsequently became St Catherine's College, Oxford). In 1935, he received first-class honors for his B.A in history, and was ranked in first place among University of Oxford students graduating in History in 1935. He also represented the university in soccer. In 1938 he went on to obtain his doctorate (see section below). In Inward Hunger, his autobiography, he described his experience of racism in Great Britain, and the impact on him of his travels in Germany after the Nazi seizure of power.