Draft:Gamini Salgado

Professor Gamini Salgado (1929–1985) was a distinguished scholar, educator, and literary critic, renowned for his contributions to English literature, particularly in the fields of Shakespearean studies and the works of D.H. Lawrence. Born in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Salgado emerged as a remarkable figure who mastered the English language and achieved prominence in British academia, despite not having an English upbringing—a testament to his intellectual determination and talent.

Salgado arrived in England in 1947 at the age of 18 to study at the University of Nottingham, where he earned a first-class degree in English and Philosophy. His time at Nottingham was marked by active involvement in student life, including editing the student magazine, participating in drama, and working at the Nottingham Playhouse. He later completed his doctorate at the same institution, laying the foundation for a career that would span several prestigious universities.

His academic journey took him to various institutions, including a brief stint at the University of Ceylon, before he established himself in England. Salgado held teaching positions at Queen’s University Belfast and later became the Chair of English at the University of Exeter in 1977, a role he is believed to have been the first non-white individual to occupy in that department. His inaugural lecture at Exeter, titled "Shakespeare and Myself," showcased his personal and scholarly engagement with literature, advocating for clear academic writing and the value of memorizing poetry as an act of love and connection.

Salgado’s scholarly work was wide-ranging. He was an expert on Elizabethan and Jacobean literature, authoring the influential book The Elizabethan Underworld, which remains a classic in Shakespearean studies. He also had a deep interest in D.H. Lawrence, producing works like A Preface to Lawrence, which offered an accessible yet authoritative exploration of the novelist’s life and works. His publications extended to editing collections such as Three Jacobean Tragedies and Three Restoration Comedies, reflecting his broad expertise in English drama.

Beyond his academic achievements, Salgado’s life was shaped by his dual identity, influenced by his roots in colonial Ceylon and his immersion in British intellectual circles. His memoirs, published posthumously in 1993 as The True Paradise, provide a poignant reflection on his childhood in Ceylon, capturing its pleasures and the Buddhist influences that shaped him. Compiled by his widow, Fenella Copplestone, the book offers a personal glimpse into his life.

Tragically, Salgado’s career was cut short when he died of a brain tumour in England in 1985. His legacy endures through his writings and the impact he made as a pioneering non-Western scholar in a field traditionally dominated by Western voices. His story is one of intellectual audacity, resilience, and a profound love for literature.

Publications

• Salgado, Gamini, ed. (1965). Three Jacobean Tragedies. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-14-043005-9.
• Salgado, Gamini, ed. (1968). Three Restoration Comedies. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-14-043027-1.
• Salgado, Gamini (1977). The Elizabethan Underworld. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-0-312-24290-9.
• Salgado, Gamini (1982). A Preface to Lawrence. London: Longman. ISBN 978-0-582-35272-8.
• Salgado, Gamini (1993). Copplestone, Fenella (ed.). The True Paradise. Manchester: Carcanet Press. ISBN 978-1-85754-059-8.