The fieldwork for this book was undertaken at intervals over a period of seven years. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the generous assistance received from individuals located across the globe during this time. Indeed, so many people submitted information or suggestions, in response to queries, that it is quite possible a few names have been omitted inadvertently from the subsequent list. Sadly, some of the contributors did not live to see the project completed, among them Professor Richard B. Sheridan and Mr Tom Wilkinson – both of whom, in their own ways, contributed greatly to the history and cultural heritage of Barbados. Special thanks are also due to Professor James Walvin, whose constructive criticism, friendship, and deep knowledge of Caribbean history were much appreciated throughout the investigation.

I wish to thank Adrian Almond, Henrice Altink, Oswald Ames, Tim and Una Anderson, Roger Avery, Bernard Bailyn, Robert B. Barker, Paul Bassett, Edmund Berkeley, Adrian Bodkin, Eleanor Brackbill, Trevor Burnard, Ann M. Carlos, Dave Clarke, Dominik Collet, Bill Connor, Marion Diamond, Harry Duggan, David Eltis, Jane Fairfax, Sue Fitzgerald, Margaret Gardner, Eleanor Gawne, Robert Griffiths, Charles Kearney Hall III, Lord Harewood, Anstice Hughes, Ronnie Hughes, Phyllis Hunter, Lisa Jenkins, Michael Jessamy, Mary Lib Joyce, Paul Knights, David Lascelles, Karen Lynch, John J. McCusker, Rod and Michelle McDonald, Emily Mechner, John Meriton, Mary Mill, Sheila Millar, Kirstynn Monrose, Elizabeth Odell, Bill Overton, Bob Paquette, Susan Pares, Christer Petley, William Pettigrew, David Pott, Jacob M. Price, Neon Reynolds, David Richardson, Dan Richter, James Robertson, Henry Robinson, Winifred B. Rothenberg, George Russell, Carolyn Smith-Pelletier, Terry Suthers, Clare Taylor, Thomas Truxes, Johan van Langen, Roderic Vassie, Michael Watson, Ernest M. Wiltshire, Pat Wood, Sheila Yeo, and Nuala Zahedieh.