Eldred Durosimi Jones with Marjorie Jones. This memoire of the life of a privileged intellectual discusses a long, happy and distinguished career, but for this reviewer, unfamiliar with the life of elite black society in colonial Freetown, it is the early chapters on childhood, education and family life, all set against the backdrop of the city which moulded and nurtured Eldred Jones, which are particularly fascinating.
The picture painted by Jones of his youth is one of almost Victorian family values, dominated by family, church, education and community; and this image is enhanced by the inclusion of some wonderful photographs of boys suited and booted, of Anglican churches and grammar schools, all made in the image of similar British men and institutions.
This Krio society bred its members to be community leaders; none more so than the Jones. Doc went on to become the head of the Sierra Leone national library collection. Younger sister Ethline was similarly accomplished and married a diplomat with whom she travelled the world. The Jones live in a world of service to the community β with many members featuring in government service β but they also enjoy engagements requiring bow ties and evening gowns p10 , read Just William stories and enjoy amateur theatricals.
It is perhaps hardly surprising, given this background, that Eldred Jones went on to become such an eminent academic; working for many years as Principal of Fourah Bay College until his retirement in , writing on Shakespeare and pioneering the study African Literature, editing African Literature Today for thirty-three years, and running, for free, the National Policy Advisory Committee at the invitation of the President from Eldred Jones is an urbane, intellectual and thoroughly decent man; a man particularly fortunate in the possession of a very good wife.
One of the most touching aspects of The Freetown Bond is the never sentimentalised but evidently hugely valued partnership between this couple. Such a relationship was in his later years absolutely essential to Eldred Jones who from the early s gradually lost his eyesight until he became completely blind.
