Clinton V. Black - History of Jamaica

Textbooks on the history of Jamaica are surprisingly hard to find. A similar publication such as A History of Barbados has not made it to the bookshelves yet. The next best thing out there is Clinton V. Black 'History of Jamaica' that presents a short overview in 170 pages illustrated with maps and photographs. First published in 1958, Mr. Black (1918 - 1993) was the government archivist at the Jamaica Archives (Spanish Town) where the Reading Room currently bears his name. Rigorous in detail but still very accessible, the aim of the book was purely educational, and very successful at that. It has been reprinted numerous times on both sides of the Atlantic.

Black took a very straightforward chronological approach and included a time-line on the first two pages to give a quick overview of the main events. The prehistoric section is somewhat dated but largely factually correct. Some recent research on the Taino settlements on the island did add some nuances. The period that the island was under Spanish rule, the English invasion and the Buccaneers is all presented neatly are well illustrated. The issue of Black Slavery is told in a more matter-of-fact manner and in some places there is a hint of imperial history writing. Emancipation, the rise of Marcus Garvey and the route to self-government brings 'History of Jamaica' into the twentieth century. It concludes with independence in 1962 - now half a century ago.

Since the death of the author the editions have not been updated and the last chapter only briefly deals with the thirty years of independence. If the reader is looking for a more contemporary look at events in Jamaica, some other suggestions will follow.

Parish Maps

A collection of maps going back to the discovery of the island to the late 1960s. The show the different parishes that got renamed or merged/split often during the eighteenth and nineteenth century. It wasn't until 1866 that the present 14 parishes was settled upon. The site has a good collection of maps that give the outline of the administration of Jamaica. It also has a couple of useful images on the earthquake of 1908, the Maroon Wars and a detailed map of Kingston and Port Royal.

Jamaican Parish References

BBC Jamaican History TImeline

A good introduction into Jamaican history that can be quickly checked is the BBC's Jamaica History timeline. Great for checking the dates and the sequence of events. It is quite heavy on 20th century political history, not surprising, considering it is 50 years since independence in 2012. For the earlier colonial period it is back to the books.

BBC Jamaica timeline