A book review by Christopher Ram – Part 1
An Eventful Life, the autobiography of Dr. Maurice Odle, is among those occasional books that cast new light on facts and events with which a declining number of Guyanese are familiar, rekindling old prejudices and arousing nostalgia. This publication which will soon be available to Guyanese, does more than recount the work experiences of one of the Region’s leading economic academics and practitioners, a contemporary and intellectual soulmate of some of the Region’s top economists and leaders. It is a good read – an honest narrative of an individual who overcame personal challenges to earn his PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE) in 1973 and spent a long life characterised by political activism and professional excellence in Guyana, the Caribbean and on the international stage.
Dr. Odle was born in 1937 in colonial British Guiana and his early education gave no hint of the contribution he would later make as a respected economist and influential figure in Caribbean and what was then referred to as the Third World. The fifth of eight children to parents of contrasting dispositions in which a strict disciplinarian mother and a father who was less visible and influential, Odle entered Queen’s College where he continued what might be considered a solid but not exceptional student career after which he worked in various Ministries as a public servant. This phase witnessed the blackouts and rationing against the backdrop of World War 11, shaping his early life, social development and political awareness influenced by the growing social and political developments which led to universal adult suffrage and the suspension of Guyana’s constitution in 1953.
Reluctantly Odle took up his six months’ long leave in the Mother Country, determined to return home. Later, persuaded to change his mind by siblings and friends, Odle elected not to return home but to pursue higher education in London which had seen a large influx of Caribbean and Commonwealth citizens exercising their rights as British nationals.
Following a stint at the Board of Trade and aided by some additional studies, Odle gained admission to LSE in 1961, a move which changed his life forever. At LSE, Odle immersed himself in a rigorous economics curriculum, broadening his understanding of political economy and international relations. He became an active participant in campus life, particularly as an office holder in the West Indian Society a feature of which was the hosting of international politicians and academics, as well as organising cultural events. Odle narrates an incident in London in which he had a tense exchange with Mr. Forbes Burnham which Odle described as disturbing and warranting inclusion in the book. This period also saw Odle engaging in political activism, participating in protests against apartheid and the Rhodesian Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI), all influencing his left-wing inclination.
His experiences at LSE and in London broadened his worldview, deepened his understanding of global issues, strengthened his commitment to addressing developmental challenges in the Caribbean and most importantly caused him to rub shoulders with some of the Region’s intellectual giants in the pre-UWI era, such as Clive Thomas, Norman Girvan, Alistair McIntyre and the world-famous Walter Rodney.
For those who endured life as an immigrant in the UK, the expression Life in London seems to be a cruel joke and throughout his studies, Odle faced significant financial challenges, balancing his academic pursuits with various jobs to support himself and his growing family. Having myself done weekend work at Lyons at Piccadilly Circus, I think I understand his comment about washing dishes at Lyons in Regent Road, London.
After completing his MSc at the London School of Economics, Odle secured a lectureship at Enfield College of Technology (later Middlesex University) in England. However, the call of home proved irresistible, and in 1967, Odle returned to the newly independent Guyana to take up a position at the University of Guyana (UG).
Odle’s time at UG was marked by both academic pursuits and political activism. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Head of the Department of Economics and later Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. His research during this period focused on various aspects of economics, including monetary policy, public expenditure and technology transfer.
The political climate in Guyana during the late 1960s and 1970s was tense, with growing authoritarianism under Forbes Burnham’s government. Conditioned by his early life and the growing political consciousness of the era, Odle became involved in political activities, serving as President of the UG Staff Association and participating in the publication of ‘Ratoon’, a critical pamphlet addressing social and political issues.
Throughout this tumultuous period, Odle managed to maintain his academic focus, producing significant research and publications. He completed his PhD from London University in 1973, becoming a full Professor and Director of UG’s Institute of Development Studies in 1974.
A pivotal moment in this period was the denial of a professorship to Walter Rodney, a prominent historian and activist. Odle was part of the committee that reviewed this decision, which was ultimately politically motivated. The subsequent political tension culminated in Rodney’s assassination in 1980, an event that deeply affected Odle and the course of politics in Guyana.
To be continued
