Ivor A. Stevens: Soldier, Politician, Businessman, and Family Man
The Man, His Times, and the Politics of St. Kitts–Nevis
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Ivor’s move from St. Kitts to Nevis in 1953 was permanent. Despite being born on St. Kitts and having lived there for most of his adult life, Ivor never lived on St. Kitts again after 1953. Actually, at a time when he was still weighing his next move in life, Ivor’s father took ill on Nevis. The family lost its patriarch later that year. Because the Stevens family was held together by a close bond, the death of Mr. Stevens was a severe blow to all. However, with Dora at his side, Ivor was better prepared to weather such a storm. He also needed the love and support of his wife as he returned to Nevis and began to dream about investing in, and initiating a new politics that would change the island forever. In time, Ivor began a search for new beginnings and committed himself to a new path in the development of Nevis politics. When Stevens entered politics on Nevis, neither him nor his wife understood where the journey would take them, or how it would impact their lives.
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About the Book
Ivor A. Stevens was an uncommon human being and an even more uncommon politician. He was born on St. Kitts, but grew up in the sister island of Nevis. He later served in the Canadian military, during World War 11. Upon his return to St. Kitts-Nevis in the late 1940s, Stevens soon found himself in the center of a developing political confl ict between the two islands. In time, he settled on Nevis and took that island’s side.
Eventually, Stevens became embroiled in a political love-hate relationships with two Nevisians, Eugene Walwyn and Simeon Daniel. Each of the three men was destined to leave his mark on the island’s politics and history. Walwyn was soon labeled a traitor to Nevis. Later, despite the fact that Stevens and Daniel worked together in the same political party for many years, the two men came to mistrust the vision and intent of each other’s politics.
The Caribbean does have a long history of authoritarian and “forever” leadership. However, Stevens was careful to focus on empowering younger Nevisians to become future leaders and politicians. He was interested in preserving the environment and the island’s traditional culture. Often, Mr. Stevens stood in defense of the common citizens’ rights, against wealthy elites. He also played a critical role in encouraging a less combative relationship between the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
This is his story:
About the Author
Whitman T. Browne was born on Nevis. Currently, he holds a Ph. D., from Walden University, and works as an educator in the US Virgin Islands. Dr. Browne is a keen student of Caribbean history and politics. To date, he has written seven books and numerous columns about the area. He plans to continue writing. Dr. Browne and his wife Roseita live on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.