John Arnott Spence (15 July 1929 – 6 March 2013) was a Vincentian-born Trinidadian politician, botanist, and professor emeritus. Spence served as an independent Senator in the Senate of Trinidad and Tobago from 1987 to 2000.[1]
Spence was born on 15 July 1929, on the island of Saint Vincent. He moved to Trinidad when he was 11 years old.[2] He attended Queen's Royal College and the University of Bristol, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in botany in 1951.[2] Spence then completed a post-graduate diploma in Agricultural Science at the University of Cambridge in 1952 and a second diploma in Tropical Agriculture in 1953 from the Trinidad Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture in 1953.[2] He earned a doctorate in 1961 from the University of Bristol.[2]
Spence served as the head of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of the West Indies in Saint Augustine until his retirement in 1989.[1][2] He then became the head of the Cocoa Research Unit (CRU), which he is credited with its expansion into an internationally recognized center.[2][3]
Within the field of botany, Spence uncovered the importance of the polyphenol oxidase enzyme, which helps cocoa pods resist Phytophthora palmivora, which causes black pod disease.[2] He also developed several varieties of dwarf pigeon peas which can be harvested by machine, instead of by hand.[2]
Spence was the recipient of the gold Chaconia Medal in 1980 and the NIHERST Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.[2] He became a fellow of the Fellow of the Caribbean Academy of Science in 1990.[2]
John Spence died of a heart attack on 6 March 2013, at the age of 83.[1] He was survived by his wife, Yolande Spence, and their sons, John Malcolm Spence, Louis Spence and Richard Spence.[3] His funeral was held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Sports and Education Centre in St Augustine.[1]
YouTube Encyclopedic
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John Spence - reThink: Success 2013
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John Spence - Adult Learner of the Year and Life and Progression Award winner 2018
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Helping Students Identify Fake News with the Five C's of Critical Consuming
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References
- ^ a b c d Alexander, Gail (2013-03-09). "Spence to be buried Tuesday". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "John Spence (1929) Plant Pathologist". National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. Archived from the original on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
- ^ a b Ramdass, Anna (2013-03-07). "Death of a stalwart". Trinidad Express. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
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This page was last edited on 22 March 2023, at 21:51