J. D. Elder

Anthropologist, author, educator, and cultural advocate from Trinidad & Tobago (31 October 1913, Charlotteville, Tobago — 13 October 2003, Diego Martin, Trinidad). J.D. Elder's profound expertise in the history of Kalinda, pan, Calypso (and other aspects of Carnival), steel bands, the Yoruba religion, Caribbean folktales and their African origins played a seminal role in raising global awareness and appreciation for the culture of Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbeans. Elder obtained his Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965 and lectured at Temple University. In the mid-70s, J.D. spent four years in Nigeria as a research professor at the University of Ibadan and serving at the University of Maiduguri as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law. After returning to the Caribbeans, J.D. Elder was appointed Minister of Culture and Education for Tobago, also consulting the government of Trinidad & Tobago on other cultural and creative arts affairs. Jacob Elder wrote several influential books, including the '73 Song Games from Trinidad and Tobago, described as "of seminal importance" in the international literature on child development according to J.D's life-long colleague and friend Alan Lomax. In 1997, Elder, Lomax and Bess Lomax Hawes authored and co-edited Brown Girl in the Ring, an anthology of children's song games accompanied by CD compilation.