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Austin Joseph Thomas Papers, bulk 1940-1988

 

Summary

Extent:
4.54 Linear Feet 5 Banker Boxes 1 Legal Size Document Case
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The materials in this collection primarily reflect AJ Thomas's work as a scientist. Articles written by or of interest to him are included, as well as professional correspondence, reports, and photographs. Additionally, there are files of personal correspondence, writing, articles, and photographs.

In addition to the occupational articles, of special notice is a series of weekly short stories published in the Jamaica Daily News entitled "The Villager."

The bulk of the materials in this collection are from the 1940s through the 1980s. Earlier documents, such as Erica Thomas's school certificates from 1917-1920 are present, as well as later material related to AJ's biography and legacy.

Biographical / historical:

"The Father of Jamaican Fish" Austin Joseph "AJ" Thomas (1908-1988) was a self-taught marine scientist who led the development of fresh water fish farming in Jamaica. Born in Westmoreland in 1908, AJ Thomas was responsible for the technique of cultivating fish known as mono-sex culture. As Fisheries Offices in the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture in the 1950s, Thomas experiemented with Adrican or Nile Perch or Tilapia. Recognizing that fish grew significantly when separated by sex, he termed his discovery mono-sex culture. Under his lead, the Fisheries Division built stocking ponds and distributed fingerlings to (cattle) ponds throughout Jamica for growing fish aimed at providing much needed animal protein. Mono-sex culture was heralded by the scientific community transforming the fishing industry worldwide. In the 1960s, AJ joined the Food and Agriculture Division of the United Nations and served for several years as Fisheries Advisor in West Africa.

In 1949 he caught a fish on the North Coast (Jamaica) that was determined to be of a new species as yet unknown to science. It was named Gobiosoma thomasi after him.

A lifelong environmentalist, published poet and author, Thomas was poshumously awareded the National Medal for Science and Technology (2003) for his work in the Fishing Industry. (Sources: Jamaica Portraits, 1955-1998 and The Jamaica Gleaner: Pieces of the Past: Famous Jamaican Scientists - Dreamers Among Us)

Acquisition information:
Materials were donated by Mr. Thomas's family
Arrangement:

The materials in this collection are arranged alphabetically and by date

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research. Researchers must contact Special Collections & University Archives in advance for access to unprocessed born digital materials in this collection. Collection restrictions, copyright limitations, or technical complications may hinder the SPCUA's ability to provide access to unprocessed born digital materials.

Terms of access:

The Austin Joseph Thomas Papers are owned by Florida International University. This collection is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

For more information please visit: https://library.fiu.edu/find/copyright/general

Location of this collection:
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th Street
Miami
FL
33199
USA