Tribute to Dudley Thompson - One of the great men of our time

The following is a tribute to the late Ambassador Dudley J. Thompson, prepared by The Mico University College Alumni Association.

C.L.R. James in the book, The Black Jacobins, points out that "Great men make history, but only such history as it is possible for them to make."

Much has been said about Ambassador Dudley J. Thompson. What remains unsaid, however, is the extent to which the ambassador, in his various roles, has understood the workings of history and the significant contribution that he has made to nation building and the world at large. We think this makes him one of the great men of our history, who has helped in many ways to shape different cultures and political systems by his insights.

The Mico University College Alumni Association wishes to join the thousands of people from all walks of life in paying tribute to this outstanding Miconian, Rhodes Scholar, statesman, politician, parliamentarian, and diplomat.

We recall fond memories of this legendary scholar and outstanding Jamaican who entered the walls of Mico in 1934 and distinguished himself as an outstanding scholar. He is the only Miconian to have been a Rhodes Scholar.

Ambassador Thompson became principal of the Retreat Elementary School in western St Mary at the age of 21, the youngest principal of a public school in Jamaica's history.

Ambassador Thompson has contributed significantly to building Jamaica as a nation and is best remembered for his role as politician, parliamentarian and diplomat. He has distinguished himself in whatever positions he has held, and it was for these reasons that he was awarded the Order of Jamaica, one of Jamaica's most prestigious honours, for distinguished service in the field of international affairs and his contribution to legal developments in Jamaica.

Pan-Africanist

Ambassador Thompson was known for his involvement in pan-Africanism, where he had hoped to see the unification of the African states to become a Confederation of Africa by 2017.

He was honoured by the African states recently, making him a 'First citizen of the Continent' because of his work for Africa internationally, and awarded a medal by the Organization of African Unity as a 'Legend of Africa'.

Ambassador Thompson has enriched our lives with his ideas and the lives of those who have worked closely with him because he was intellectually stimulating. The respect and admiration that has been showered on him following his death says something about the extraordinary personality of one who would wish to call himself an ordinary and humble man.

The Mico University College Alumni Association hails this great gentleman, not only for what he has accomplished, but for who he was and for what we have learnt from him. Many were overwhelmed by his warm, genuine, enthusiastic, vibrant and magnetic personality and his indomitable spirit. He has left valuable memories so that others can continue in his footsteps.

We are especially pleased to have been associated with a person of his outstanding and extraordinary talent, one of the great men of history and a leading light in this country.

We thank him for his many contributions and salute him for all he has done for nation building both here in Jamaica and in Africa.