Yes, that's me! All bald and turning beautifully grey. The years have taken their toll, but they have not dampened my spirits. I don't like talking about myself, but some web site visitors insist they want to know me better. They pamper me with such kind words about my site that the least I can do is to quietly swallow my pride and present myself for all to see.
So, have we met before? I truly appreciate your support and trust this exposure will please you immensely. (Click to e-mail me).
| I was born Raglan Eugene Riviere, fourth in the family, in the village of Massacre in September 1935, in the then British Colony of Dominica, now the independent Commonwealth of Dominica - not to be confused with the Dominican Republic. During my school years I lived in Colihaut, Portsmouth, Roseau, Goodwill and Canefield. My father, like most head teachers then, made the rounds of the village schools till he finally retired as an Education Officer. | Mama's roots are from Anguila. A teacher and housewife, known affably as 'mam' in the community. She raised five boys and one girl to the best of her ability but always with tender loving care. May her soul rest in peace. Papa was partly of French stock, hence my surname. His father came from French Guyana. He was a teacher all his life, stern with the rod, but unsurpassed in professional results. He left a legacy of success to which hundreds continue to testify. |
Here are Mama and Papa's children:
Arlington, first born, a career civil servant and graduate in Public Administration, was Dominica's Ambassador Extraordinary to the United States and Officer of the Organization of American States (O.A.S.). Now retired.
Osborne, B.A. (Econ.), M.A. (Int. Trade.), Dip. (Int. Rel.), second born, recently Minister of Trade and Foreign Affairs, was also a career civil servant who represented Dominica in several overseas positions, including the Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM).
Doreen, (Mama's only daughter), third born, a graduate in Social Work, is the Director of Save The Children Fund in Dominica.
Raglan, B.Sc. (Soc.), M.H.A. (Health Administration), fourth born. That's me.
Mervyn, M.D., F.R.C.S., L.L.B., fifth born, presently retired and lecturing part-time at Ross University, Dominica Campus.
William, B.A., Ph.D., L.L.B., last born, is an historian, a career lecturer in Caribbean History; presently writing and practising Law in Dominica.
My EducationElementary: As stated above, I followed my father to all village schools beginning at Massacre and ending at Portsmouth where I won a common entrance scholarship to secondary school.Secondary: I attended the Dominica Grammar School from 1948 to 1955 obtaining the Senior Cambridge School Certificate which gave me the qualification to be employed in the Civil Service. University: In 1959 I emigrated to England to join the Royal Air Force where I served for five years. During that period I obtained further university entrance qualifications in Economics and British Constitution. After discharge from the R.A.F. I attended evening classes at the Regent Street Polytechnic, London, obtaining an honours degree in Sociology, (B.Sc.) from London University. I returned to Dominica in 1969 and in 1972 was granted a World Health Fellowship to study and obtain a masters degree in Health Administration, (M.H.A.), from the University of Ottawa, Canada.
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