The 2006 awardees will be recognised for their work in the literary, scientific and artistic fields.

One Gold, six silver and two bronze Musgrave medals will be awarded to eight individuals and one heritage preservation organisation at the Institute of Jamaica's Annual Musgrave Awards Ceremony, slated for Wednesday, October 4, at 3:00 p.m.

In keeping with the IOJ's mandate 'For the Encouragement of Literature, Science and Art in Jamaica', the 2006 awardees will be recognised for their work in the literary, scientific and artistic fields.

The sole 2006 Musgrave gold medallist is renowned Barbadian poet, playwright, critic and historian, Kamau Braithwaite, who will be awarded for his work in literature. Motivated by his interest into the complex Caribbean heritage and its African roots, Brathwaite has authored numerous publications, many of which examine his search for Caribbean identity and racial wholeness. His publications include Rights of Passage (1967), Masks (1968), and Islands (1969), reissued in one volume as The Arrivants: A New World Trilogy (1973). This publication is regarded as a landmark in Caribbean poetry. Founder of the Caribbean Artists' Movement, Brathwaite was actively involved with publications such as Savacou journal and Caliban.

2006 Silver Musgrave medallists

The 2006 silver Musgrave medallists include Professor Eccleston Kean, for his work in Biochemistry; Franklyn McDonald for his work in environmental science, and renowned author and educator Dr. Velma Pollard, for literature.

Mrs. Laura Facey-Cooper, creator of the signature sculpture, 'Redemption Song', for Emancipation Park, will also be awarded silver for her work in sculpture and the Rev. Dr. Ralph Hoyte of the United Church in Jamaica and Grand Cayman (St. Andrew Scots Kirk) will be awarded for his contribution to religion and community development. The Georgian Society of Jamaica will receive a silver Musgrave Medal for their work in heritage preservation.

The 2006 bronze Musgrave medallists are Mr. Clarence 'Ben' Brodie, co-founder and managing editor of the The News for his work in journalism, and Miss Norma Segre, foundation member of the Jamaica Library Association and Fellow of the Library Association of Great Britain and Ireland for her work in library service andcommunity development.

The Musgrave award is one of the oldest awards of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. The medals were first awarded in 1897 as a lasting tribute to former governor of Jamaica, Sir Anthony Musgrave, who founded the Institute of Jamaica in 1879. Following his death in 1888, the board of governors of the institute took the decision for medals to be awarded annually in his honour.

Renowned medallists

Renowned Musgrave medallists include the Honorable Edna Manley, O.M., who was awarded the Musgrave Gold Medal in 1941 for her contribution to the promotion of art and literature in Jamaica, The Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverley and Professor The Honorable Rex Nettleford.

The Institute of Jamaica is a cultural agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture.