Seepersad Naipaul (1906-1953) Biography, Family

Quick Info

Profession	Journalist, Writer
Nationality	Trinidadian
Date of Birth	07/08/1906
Age	47 years (died on 14, Oct, 1953)
Birthplace	Trinidad, Tobago
Hometown	Trinidad, Tobago
Date of Death	14/10/1953

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Bio/Wiki

Seepersad Naipaul was a pioneering Indo-Trinidadian journalist and writer who documented the lives of the Indian community in Trinidad during the colonial period. Despite limited formal education, he became the first Indo-Trinidadian journalist at the Trinidad Guardian newspaper, where he worked as a correspondent starting in 1929. His journalism was noted for its acute observations of Trinidadian society and creative prose that boldly creolised reporting styles. He also worked as a trained social worker, which gave him unique access to the lives of rural Indian Trinidadians. His work over 25 years provides an unrivalled picture of Indian life in Trinidad as the community emerged into the wider economy, society and politics of the nation.

Physical Stats & More

Height	5' 7" (171 cm)
Eye Color	Black
Hair Color	Black

Personal Life

Place of Death	Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad, Tobago
Death Cause	Heart Attack

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Married

Family

Spouse	Droapatie Naipaul
Children	V.S. Naipaul (Writer), Shiva Naipaul (Writer), Kamla Naipaul (deceased), Mira Naipaul, Nalini Naipaul, Savi Naipaul Akal (former teacher)

Career

Debut	Gurudeva and Other Indian Tales (1943)
Notable Position	Central correspondent, Trinidad Guardian newspaper (1929 onwards)
Career Focus	Journalism documenting East Indian Trinidadian life; short story writing

Favourites

Writer(s)	O. Henry, William Somerset Maugham

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. He was born and brought up in a poor Indian family in rural Trinidad.
2. Since childhood Seepersad Naipaul had educated himself.
3. He was young when he was sent to live with his extended relatives where he would help rear goats and cows in the mornings, and then walk to school without shoes.
4. He was only allowed to study his elementary school by his family. Later he taught himself to read and write and aspired to be a writer.
5. Although he was not well educated, he became the central correspondent for the Trinidad Guardian, which is the oldest daily newspaper in Trinidad and Seepersad was the first Indo-Trinidadian journalist.
6. In 1943, he self-published his first book which is a collection of linked comic short stories. Only 100 copies of the pamphlet were published. It became highly recognized in 1976, after V. S. Naipaul published a re-edited version of the book, which is now known as The Adventures of Gurudeva and other stories, which was published by Andre Deutsch.
7. After gaining enough experience in writing about the journalism of Trinidad and about Indian politics. He started working as a social worker and wrote about the lives of rural Indian Trinidadians, which was unknown to the rest of the world.
8. Savi Naipaul Akal, Seepersad’s daughter represented him as a devoted family man, who prioritized his children’s education irrespective of their gender.
9. In 1943, he self-published his first book which is a collection of linked comic short stories. Only 1000 copies of the pamphlet were published. It became highly recognized in 1976, after V. S. Naipaul published a re-edited version of the book, which is now known as The Adventures of Gurudeva and other stories, which was published by Andre Deutsch.
10. His journalism was described by Professor Aaron Eastley as having a voice that was creative, often sensational, and certainly dramatic.
11. Guardian newspaper sales reportedly rose during his employment.
12. His life and experiences inspired elements of his son V.S. Naipaul's novel A House for Mr Biswas.

Seepersad Naipaul Journalist, Writer Trinidadian Trinidad, Tobago