TWO months ago we suggested that the Government, aided by the Chancery of the Societies of Honour, could examine the idea of designating deserving Jamaicans the title of national treasure.

Our submission was based on the fact that there are many Jamaicans who meet the criteria to be named national hero. However, we are mindful that the Order may become crowded and as such risk reducing its significance and revered status.

We suggested further that Mr Michael “Ibo” Cooper, who passed on October 12 this year, could be among the first Jamaicans conferred with the honour of national treasure.

Another eminent Jamaican who, we believe, is more than qualified to be so recognised is Professor Edward Baugh, whose body of work as a poet and writer has fittingly led to him being recognised as one of the Caribbean’s best litterateurs.

A son of Port Antonio, Portland, who entered Titchfield High School on a scholarship when he was just 10 years old, Professor Baugh had a deep love for books. In fact, we recall a 2104 interview with Gleaner writer Mr Michael Reckord in which Professor Baugh related his visit to a shop to buy books from a girl he had known who was “a little older” than him and who had already passed through first form.

“The whole idea of having those books in my hand is something I’ll never forget,” Mr Reckord reported Professor Baugh as saying, recalling that when he started studying at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) he took a bus to Sangster’s bookstore at Liguanea “to buy a book, to have it in my hand”.

Sadly, Professor Baugh passed on Sunday this week, leaving us to mourn. However, he has left us a rich legacy through his contribution to the development of Caribbean literature as a poet, writer, and lecturer. That august body of work not only cemented his reputation as an authority on anglophone Caribbean poetry, it also established the region as a formidable and respected force in literary excellence globally.

The late professor emeritus of the Department of Literatures in English at The UWI, Mona, where he served for years as public orator, taught at Dalhousie University; Flinders University; Howard University; Macquarie University; University of California, Los Angeles; and University of Wollongong in visiting positions.

He was also a leader in national, regional, and international literary and academic associations such as Jamaica PEN Club, West Indian Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies, and the Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies.

Additionally, Professor Baugh adjudicated regional and international literary competitions, among them the Guyana Prize for Literature and the Commonwealth Writers Prize.

Over his many years of scholarly work, Professor Baugh was most appropriately recognised with a raft of awards, among them the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence and Commander of the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican Government, both in 1995; Silver and Gold Musgrave medals from the Institute of Jamaica in 1998 and 2012, respectively; and the Cultural Icon Award by University of Technology, Jamaica.

We share Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s view that, “Professor Baugh’s impact on Jamaican literature and his insightful contributions to post-colonial Caribbean poetry have left an enduring mark on our cultural heritage.”