Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Famous Virgin Islanders
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Christopher Fleming (1851-1935):
Born in the East End of Tortola, Flem-
ing spent most of his life at sea, and
may even have been a smuggler. In
1890, a B.V.I. Customs officer seized a
native boat, and in protest, Fleming
led a group of armed men to the com-
missioner's house. Danish soldiers
from St. Thomas put down the rebel-
lion, and Fleming was sentenced to 6
months in jail. Today, islanders look
upon Fleming as a hero who protested
against poverty and unfair economic
conditions.
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John Coakley Lettsom (1744-1815):
Born into a Quaker family on Jost Van
Dyke, he was educated in England and
completed his medical education in
Edinburgh, Scotland. Rising rapidly
and brilliantly, he founded the Royal
Human Society of England, the Royal
Seabathing Hospital at Margate, and
the London Medical Society. Regretta-
bly, he is mainly remembered today
for this famous but libelous doggerel:
“I John Lettsom . . . Blisters, bleeds,
and sweats 'em. If, after that, they
please to die . . . I, John Lettsom.”
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Frederick Augustus Pickering (1835-
1926):
Born in Tortola, he became a
civil service worker who, by 1884, had
risen to become the first black presi-
dent of the British Virgin Islands. He
held the post until 1887, and was the
last man to be known as president, as
the job description after his presidency
was changed to commissioner.
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John Pickering (1704-68):
Born into a
fervent Quaker family in Anguilla, Pick-
ering moved in the 1720s to Fat Hogs
Bay in Tortola. In 1736, he became the
leader of a congregation of Quakers,
and by 1741 he was named first lieu-
tenant governor of the island. Fearing
the Virgin Islands would be drawn into
war between Spain and Britain, he
resigned his post because of his
Quaker beliefs. Apparently, he was
an “enlightened” plantation owner,
as hundreds of slaves, islandwide,
mourned his death—or perhaps they
feared their new master.
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Music
As the Caribbean rhythms go, the Virgin Islands encompass it all, from reggae to
classical to steel drums to spiritual hymns, but soca, reggae, calypso, and steel-pan
beats seem to dominate the night.
Calypso,
though originating in Trinidad, has its unique sounds in the Virgins. It is
famously known for expressing political commentary through satire.
If you add a little soul music to calypso, you have
soca,
a music form that also
originated in Trinidad, but made its way north to the Virgin Islands.
Reggae
origi-
nated on another island, Jamaica, but also made its way to the Virgins. As reggae is
sung in the Virgin Islands, it usually focuses on redemption. Virgin Islanders have put
a unique stamp on reggae, making it their own.
Scratch bands are popular in the British Virgins, in the musical form known as
fungi.
Merengue
is also heard in the Virgins, having “floated over” from Puerto Rico
and the Dominican Republic.
Throughout the year in various clubs, you can hear the music of the islands,
including
zouk,
dance music from Martinique. Music is most popular at frequent
reggae concerts, steel-pan shows, and jazz concerts. Find out what's happening by
reading the local newspapers.
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