PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Prof John Arnott Spence, who died on Wednesday night at 83, will be remembered for his sterling service to T&T and the region as a scientist, academician and spokesman for agriculture. As a UWI lecturer, public servant and independent senator, even in his retirement years his vast knowledge added value and inspired positive developments, not only in his area of expertise—agriculture—but in many other matters of national importance.
Prof Spence was well known for his contributions to agricultural and scientific bodies, including Niherst and Cariri. What was not as widely known was that his vast knowledge and expertise were bolstered by many years of practical experience as a farmer. This dedicated son of the Caribbean was born in St Vincent in July 1929 and migrated to T&T when he was 11. He attended Queen’s Royal College and the University of Bristol, where he obtained a bachelor of science in botany (1951). He attained post-graduate diplomas in agricultural science (1952) and tropical agriculture (1953) from the University of Cambridge and the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture, respectively, as well as a doctorate from the University of Bristol (1961).