Professor and Mrs Eldred Jones
By Abubakarr Bah
The octogenarian professor of English and former principal of Fourah Bay College, Eldred Durosimi Jones, on Saturday launched his memoir titled: ‘The Freetown Bond: A Life Under Two Flags’, at the Mary Kingsley auditorium, Fourah Bay College.
The book reflects on his childhood and manhood gleam, life in Freetown and politics, among others; and is now being sold at £30 British Pound sterling in the United Kingdom and US$50 in the United States of America.
By a special arrangement the first 100 copies will be sold in Sierra Leone at a reduced price of Le90,000 with proceeds to be donated to Knowledge Aid Sierra Leone.
Launching the book, the former principal of FBC, Professor Victor Strasser-King said “the event is not just about rejoicing the launch of a remarkable memoir, but it is about celebrating the great work of Sierra Leone’s literary icon.”
He described the memoir as “an inspirational work” that should be read in schools and colleges. He commended the pledge to support Knowledge Aid Sierra Leone.
The author thanked all those who had helped him write his journal, especially his wife, Marjorie Jones whom she married sixty years ago. He said that despite him being blind, Marjorie had been “patiently enjoying sitting behind the typewriter, typing and retyping to change any sentence or paragraph that I tell her to do. No paid up secretary would have endure to do.”
He said the book told a lot about life and especially the relationship of a couple who did not separate despite the one being blind for thirty-five years.
Former information minister and Managing Director, Dr. Julius Spencer said: “‘The Freetown Bond’ symbolises something unique about the life of adorable couples.” He said he had inspired the professor who had helped him get his doctorate degree, to write his memoir.
Dr. Spencer described Professor Jones’ memoir as a journal that gives insight “about what makes him what he was when he became blind 35 years ago,” adding that Mrs Jones dropped her career to support him build his livelihood.
He said the journal would motivate and change the lives of readers, especially young people who want to succeed in life.
