A portrait of the late Anguillian educator, Edison L. Hughes, after whom the Public Library is named, is at last on display inside the building. The painting was done by a practising artist Peter Paul Plank who resides on the island. It was produced from a photograph of Mr. Hughes when he was in his early 20s.

The portrait was unveiled and presented on Tuesday January 28. Director of Library Services, Russell Reid, noted that although the library carried Mr. Hughes’ name there was previously no symbol there of what he looked like. He was grateful to Mr. Plank, a retired engineer in the US military services, who visited the library late last year and undertook to produce the portrait.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Orris Proctor, described Mr. Hughes as a pioneer in secondary education in Anguilla. “Many of the less young of us will always remember Mr. Hughes because he has helped us in many ways. We have benefited from his intellect, wisdom, tutelage and guidance and so this magnificent building was named after him,” Proctor said. “However, something was missing. Many of the children who come to use this building know the name because it is prominently displayed on the outside, but many of them do not know what Mr. Hughes looked like. In other words, there wasn’t a face to match the name. This has now been changed all because of the thoughtfulness and generosity of Mr. Plank…We see this portrait not only as a gift to the Department of Library Services, but to the Government and people of Anguilla.”
Mr. Proctor said that Mr. Plank was helping to ensure that generations of Anguilla would always remember Mr. Hughes. “It will also help us to express our deep gratitude, admiration and love for him,” he added.
Leader of the Opposition and family friend, Hubert Hughes, said he was pleased to see the late educator’s portrait among those of revolutionary leader Ronald Webster and Jeremiah Gumbs who played an important role in education in Anguilla. “He was the most brilliant scholar I have ever met and he was very scientific in everything he did,” Hughes said of the late educator. “He was a great disciplinarian and a man who has done much for human resource development on this island. He was involved in the education review which gave us our comprehensive system of education. Edison Hughes also had a degree in law and was a great linguist… Mr. Plank has done a very good job on a very great man.” The Opposition Leader did a useful critique of the portrait as it was being produced.
Mr. Plank, who was painting for over 44 years and who has an interest in the art and history of Anguilla, was grateful to Linda Lake, an employee at the library, for involving him in the production of the portrait. He praised Anguillians as being a very strong, determined and friendly people. Ivy (formerly Carty) a retired teacher in St. Kitts and Anguilla, also spoke during the brief ceremony.

With portrait - L-R: Hubert Hughes, Education Officer Curriculum Rosena Brooks, Director of Library Services Russel Reid, P.S. Education Orris Proctor, Mrs. Alma Hughes and Mr and Mrs Peter Plank

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News