| Kingsley Ormonde Harrop-Williams | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1947-12-12)December 12, 1947 Golden Grove, West Coast Berbice, Guyana |
| Died | (2019-09-22)September 22, 2019 United States |
| Nationality | Guyanese-American |
| Alma mater | City University of New York (B.Sc., Civil Engineering, magna cum laude) City University of New York (M.Sc.) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Ph.D., Soil Mechanics and Engineering) |
| Occupation(s) | Civil engineer, educator, poet, author, philanthropist |
| Years active | 1970–2019 |
| Notable work | Intrusions of Chance: Autobiography of K.O. Harrop from Penury to Ph.D. (2016) Poetry of K.O. Harrop: Reflections on Life, History, Injustice, Resistance, Civil Rights, and Guyana (2013) |
| Spouse | Lynette Gibson |
| Children | Kingsley Audwin Harrop-Williams (b. 1973) Tippi Ann Parson (b. 1976) Cher Anemone Marquez (b. 1981) |
| Parent(s) | Edric Christopher Harrop-Williams Adelaide Olivia Pereira-Jardin |
| Awards | Charles Rathbone Award Grand Prize, National Library of Poetry North American Open Poetry Contest (1995) Listed in Marquis Who’s Who in the World (1989–1990) Listed on the Immigrant Wall of Honor, Ellis Island |
Dr. Kingsley Ormonde Harrop-Williams, also known as K.O. Harrop (12 December 1947 – 22 September 2019), was a Guyanese-born civil engineer, poet, author, educator, and philanthropist whose career included contributions to engineering, literature, and community projects.
Early life and education
Kingsley was born in Golden Grove, West Coast Berbice, Guyana, and grew up in Smythfield. He was the son of Edric Christopher Harrop-Williams and Adelaide Olivia (née Pereira-Jardin). After completing his studies at Berbice High School, he worked as a clerk at the Transport and Harbors Department in New Amsterdam.
In 1970, Harrop-Williams immigrated to the United States on a three-month student visa, which he extended to pursue higher education. Attending night school at the City University of New York (CUNY) while working minimum-wage jobs, he graduated magna cum laude at the top of his class in civil engineering. He was awarded a fellowship for his Master’s degree at CUNY and subsequently received a full scholarship for his Ph.D. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, specializing in soil mechanics and engineering. His autobiography, Intrusions of Chance, chronicles these formative experiences, shedding light on his struggles to support his widowed mother in Guyana while excelling academically.
Career and contributions
Engineering Career
Kingsley had an accomplished career as a civil engineer and educator. He held positions as a lecturer at the City College of New York, civil engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University, and professor at George Mason University. Professionally, he served as a civil engineer for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy and was a consulting engineer for agencies such as NASA, the Maryland Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Army.
He was a professional hydrogeologist and a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Over the course of his career, he published 30 technical articles on topics related to soil mechanics and engineering, earning recognition for his expertise and contributions to the field.
Literary achievements
Harrop-Williams was an author and poet whose works addressed themes of identity, colonialism, resistance, civil rights, and civil engineering. His notable publications include:
- Intrusions of Chance: Autobiography of K.O. Harrop from Penury to Ph.D. (2016) – A memoir detailing his rise from poverty in Guyana to earning a doctorate in the United States.
- Poetry of K.O. Harrop: Reflections on Life, History, Injustice, Resistance, Civil Rights, and Guyana (2013) – A collection of poetry reflecting his personal experiences and broader historical and social struggles.
- Discussion of Clay Liner Permeability: Evaluation and Variation,' published in the Journal of Geotechnical Engineering (1987)
- Discussion of “Predicting Ground‐Water Response to Precipitation” by Dwight A. Sangrey, Kingsley O. Harrop‐Williams, and Jeffrey A. Klaiber (July, 1984)
- Finite Element Analysis of Random Soil Media (Jan, 1988)
- Earthquake‐Induced Shear Stresses in Soils (Nov, 1988)
- Random Nature of Soil Porosity and Related Properties (April, 1989)
- Interference Between Geotechnical Structures (Feb, 1985)
In 1995, Harrop-Williams received the Grand Prize in the National Library of Poetry North American Open Poetry Contest, underscoring his talent and impact in the literary world.
Mentorship and advocacy
Throughout his life, Kingsley emphasized the transformative power of education. He mentored students from underprivileged backgrounds and contributed to projects aimed at uplifting marginalized communities. His philanthropy included supporting the construction of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the African American Museum in Washington, D.C., as well as funding local initiatives like the New Amsterdam Special Needs Playground in Guyana.
Recognition and honors
Harrop-Williams was listed in Marquis Who’s Who in the World (1989–1990) and on the Immigrant Wall of Honor at Ellis Island for his pioneering contributions as an immigrant. His civic leadership and literary contributions earned him the Charles Rathbone Award, which recognized his dedication to social advancement.
Legacy
Harrop-Williams’ body of work is an intersection of the personal and the political. His writings explored the Guyanese experience, the legacies of colonialism, and universal struggles for equality and justice.
Through his mentorship and writing, Harrop-Williams contributed significantly to the intellectual and cultural life of Guyana. His work remains an enduring part of the country’s literary heritage.
Dr. Kingsley Ormonde Harrop-Williams and his wife, Lynette Gibson, had three children:
- Kingsley Audwin Harrop-Williams (b. 1973)
- Tippi Ann Parson (b. 1976)
- Cher Anemone Marquez (b. 1981)
Death
Kingsley Ormonde Harrop-Williams died on 22 September 2019.
References
- Harrop-Williams, Kingsley Ormonde (July 22, 2016). Intrusions of Chance. AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1524615710.
- Harrop-Williams, Kingsley O. (1987). "Discussion of Clay Liner Permeability: Evaluation and Variation". ASCE Library. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Harrop, K.O. (2013). “Poetry of K.O. Harrop: Reflections on Life, History, Injustice, Resistance, Civil Rights, and Guyana”. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse. ISBN 1481737783.
- Harrop-Williams, Kingsley Ormonde (2019-10-06). "Dr. Kingsley O. Harrop-Williams: December 12, 1947 – September 22, 2019". Guyana Graphic. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- Kaieteur News (June 9, 2013). ""From the Diaspora: Guyanese Poet K.O. Harrop Grand Prize Winner"". Kaieteur News. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- Harrop-Williams, Kingsley (2024-12-21). "Kingsley Harrop-Williams Biography" (PDF). Guyana Graphic. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Harrop-Williams, Kingsley O. (2024-12-21). "Obituary for Kingsley O. Harrop-Williams". Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)