UNPHU and SDB launch the book “From Dessalines to Duvalier: Race, color and the Independence of Haiti

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.- Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Ureña (UNPHU) and the Dominican Society of Bibliophiles (SDB) launched the book “From Dessalines to Duvalier: Race, color and the Independence of Haiti” from the author David Nicholls.  

Nicholls was born in the United Kingdom, graduated from The London School of Economics. He is a priest, an acknowledged researcher, and political scientist; in his work, he describes a journey from the first governor of Haiti, Jean Jacques Dessalines, born in 1758 and who died in 1806; proclaiming the independence of Haiti and then named emperor as Jacques I; up to the government of François Duvalier, a Haitian physician governing from 1957, and from 1964 to 1971 as president for life with absolute powers.  His son Jean-Claude Duvalier’s death, who headed a dictatorial regime from 1971 to 1986.

Mr. Dinnis R. Simo, the SDB, addressed the guests and Dr. Jose Baez Guerrero, who wrote the book’s prologue of the first Spanish edition. 

During the event, the president of the SDB said: “This publication of the book of From Dessalines to Duvalier is the first translation of the work From Dessalines to Duvalier: Race, color and the Independence of Haiti,” from the writer David Nicholls. 

The author indicates in his work: “A central ax of my thesis is that the divisions intimately related with color were one of the main reasons Haiti could not keep effective independence. This is not the only reason, but I hope to demonstrate in the development of the book that color played an important role in the Haitian policy from Dessalines to Duvalier. The same occurs with the idea of race, in special during the XIX century.”

The translation of the book has the written authorization and without conditions of David Nicholls Memorial Trust, granted by a signed document by his proxy, Dr. David Howard, from Oxford University dated on April 24, 2018, to whom we thank this kind generosity.

The translation of the book was under the responsibility of Ramon Cedano and the correction of style from Mrs. Janet Canals. 

The publication of From Dessalines to Duvalier: Race, color and the Independence of Haiti” has been possible thanks to the collaboration of UNPHU and its Publication Commission and the Rector, Architect Miguel Fiallo Calderon.

The book’s launch was on Tuesday, November 23, at the Max Henriquez Ureña hall at UNPHU.