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A Tribute to Dr. Adolph Edwards

Born: January 12 1940 – Died: January 23 2025

TRIBUTES TO THE LATE DR.ADOLPH EDWARDS

Mrs.Athelene Hammond (Cousin-in-Law)

Adolph, you entered our lives not by chance, but as a blessing, bringing kindness, warmth, and unwavering support. My dear cousin-in-law, you have been one of those rare souls someone whose presence has been a gift, whose heart is full of generosity, and whose actions have always spoken of love and sincerity.

From the very beginning, you welcomed me, making mefeel not just likefamily,but truly valued

and appreciated. Your kindness is not just in your words but in the countless ways you have shown care, understanding, and selflessness. Through the years, in both good times and challenging moments, you have been a source of strength and encouragement,

always offering a heart full of compassion.

It is rare to find someone who gives so much without expecting anything in return, yet that is who you are genuine, thoughtful, and endlessly kind. Your generosity was not measured in grand gestures but in the little things you do, the moments that leave a lasting impact and remind me how fortunate I am to have you as family.

Today, I just want to say thank you for being the person you are, for all the love and kindness you have shown, and for making my life better simply by being in it. You are truly cherished, and I am grateful beyond words for you. RIP

Paulette and Lisa Morgan, Mr.Andrew Smith (Relatives)

When we reflect on the life of Uncle Adolph, it is with much admiration and respect. He was a true exemplar, showing us all what a life well-lived looked like. He was a hard worker, somehow

managing to juggle his law practice and run a bus company with effortless ease, and doing it well, gaining recognition in his field. In the midst of all of that busyness, he never lost sight of the importance of family, both immediate and extended, which he was completely devoted to, as he was to his friends. If we were ever in need, he was there, and he provided both his emotional support and his legal expertise freely and willingly. He was stoic in the face of his illness, never letting

It prevent him from continuing to live and enjoy his life to the fullest. Towards the end, it was Aunty Pegs, Gregory and Nicky who provided him with the care and support that comforted him on his final journey. This would not have gone unnoticed by Uncle Adolph. We are grateful to have had such a figurehead in our lives, and we will all miss him.

TRIBUTES TO THE LATE DR.ADOLPH EDWARDS

The Browns:Annabelle, Bonitto, Racquel, Richard, and Kirk (Family Friends)

My family and I have known Mr. Adolph Edwards for over 40 years. Over those many years, he has been nothing short of a gift from God. When in need, he would give the shirt off his back to anyone who asked, and just the same for those who didn’t think to ask. I remember the way he would encourage my children to do, and be, the very best in all that they did and how he never hesitated to

Judge Patrick Robinson (Colleague and Friend)

Adolph must be the most self-effacing and humble individual I have ever met. He certainly does not blow his own trumpet. How many know that Adolph was the first schoolboy in Jamaica to run the 400 yards below 50 seconds? How many know that he was awarded a PhD by the London School of Economics for his valuable work on the developmentofcriminallawin Jamaicaupto1900 Adolph would always greet you with a quip, some witty comment to lighten the moment and disarm you. I always enjoyed his company. The contribution of this quiet, unassuming and dignified soul to the rule of law in Jamaica was immense.

make you smile. He was dependable, equitable in all he did, and had a good heart. His journey is done now and should serve as an example to all who saw his ways, learning how to carry themselves the way he did. He carried himself the way one should, walking in Christ. Rest in peace, brother Adolph Edward.

TRIBUTES TO THE LATE DR.ADOLPH EDWARDS

Rudolph and Hyacinth Carby (Clients and Friends)

Dr. Edwards was our amazing attorney for 45 years. He was one of the most kindhearted attorneys Jamaica has ever produced. He treated us like family, not just a client. All of our encounters with him never ended without a smile. He was very dedicated, humble, extremely knowledgeable and went above and beyond to get things done for us.

Joseph Edwards (Nephew)

UncleAdolph,

You worked hard and did so much for a long time for everyone that the family name is heard everywhere. We are grateful to have had the chance to be with you while you were here for as long as we could. You will be missed. We will remember you always.

Nephew Joseph

Mrs. Gladys Stringfellow (cousin)

Today as wesay farewell to ourbelovedbrother,we also want to thank God for his years of service to humanity. For his passion and determination to see justice meted out to all and compassion to the needy, sick, deprived and afflicted. May his soul rest in peace.

He worked with us in areas we had no knowledge of, teaching and enriching us to successfully achieve our goals. Dr. Edwards will forever be in our hearts. We were very grateful to have known him. He will be deeply missed and remembered with love and gratitude.

Flo Prestwidge (Friend)

I am honored to be asked to give a tribute to a kind and faithful friend. I gave known Adolph for over 60years.Hewas always willingtogotheextramile to accommodate his friends. Words cannot express the grief and sadness in the hearts of his wife, family and friends at this time.

TRIBUTES TO THE LATE DR.ADOLPH EDWARDS

Elaine Melbourne (Friend)

Adolph Edwards was my friend and brother; I wish the world had more Adolphs especially in these times. I inherited Adolph many years ago from my younger Montego Bay cousin, Byron, who was at Cornwall College with three Edwards brothers. He describes Adolph as a brilliant scholar, quiet but popular and never in trouble. I have had personal experience of his sharp mind, reliability and trustworthiness as he solved my legal issues and those of my familyand friends.Wesharedan interest in National Hero Marcus Garvey and I treasured his book on Garvey which he wrote as a student in England. Quite recently, I was intrigued by his research and article on the Obeah Laws of Jamaica. As usual he, was reluctant to receive high praise for its value in today's attempt to correct historic wrongs. Adolph Edwards was a decent, unassuming and unobtrusive Jamaican, rare qualities in today's world. I must pay tribute to his wife Peggy whose quiet dignity and grace was so compatible with his personality as she supported him over the years.

Rest in Peace Adolph, we will all miss you.

TRIBUTES TO THE LATE DR.ADOLPH EDWARDS

Dr.Aggrey Irons on behalf of the Consie Walters Cancer Care Hospice

Adolph Chamberlin Edwards will forever be remembered as aJamaicanlegendin theareaoflaw and nation building. To those of us who knew him well, and to whom he was very close, he will always be remembered for his charity, fantastic senseofhumour,andhis sharpintellectual capacity. Dr. Edwards was always reliable, straightforward and precise in his ability to both analyse, diagnose and prescribe just as a medical practitioner would.

Professor Tracy Robinson (Colleague)

Decades before Caribbean legal academics started to produce law textbooks, and even before the establishment of legal education system we know today, Dr. Adolph Edwards, and a group of pioneering Caribbean lawyers wrote extraordinarily wide-ranging and fine PhDs on Caribbean law. This august group of Caribbean PhDs in law, completed as Caribbean territories approached independence or soon after new Caribbean states were established, included Dr. Lloyd Barnett, Dr. Edwin Watkins and Dr. Kenneth Rattray from Jamaica; Dr. Mohammed Shahabudeen, and Dr. Fenton Ramsohoye from Guyana; Dr. Richard Cheltenham from Barbados; and Dr. Nicholas Liverpool from Dominica.

Dr. Adolph Edwards’ 1968 PhD thesis, completed at London School of Economics and Political Sciences, 'The Development of Criminal Law in Jamaica up to 1900', demonstrated, that ‘West Indian law and legal history are worth studying in their own right’, to borrow from Sir HughWooding and Sir Roy Marshall. In this sense, his groundbreaking research is a foundational

There was no ailment that this erudite Jamaican could not prescribe a cure for. In addition to his sense of humour, Dr, Edwards was also his brother’s keeper and one of the outstanding examples of a man for all seasons. He will be missed as long as the sun continue to shine and as long as men will appreciate the quality of their character.

contribution to legal decolonisation in the Caribbean. I have long admired his 1968 treatise and rely on it often to teach and guide me in my own research on the Caribbean’s enduring criminal laws.

Legal research can easily become dated and overtaken by new developments. However, Dr. Edwards’ nearly 60-year-old thesis remains an indispensable reference text for those interested in the history of criminal law in the English-speaking Caribbean and the need for modern criminal law reform. His conclusions and recommendations are as salient today as they were in 1968, when he argued that our criminal law ‘is in need of radical revision’ especially because ‘various doses of panic, emotionalism, expediency, convenience, ignorance and suspicion, have been compounded to give Jamaica the system of penal laws it now possesses.’ He called for an independent multidisciplinary body to be established with wide terms of reference to review existing criminal laws and prepare new legislation.

TRIBUTES TO THE LATE DR.ADOLPH EDWARDS

Despite his pivotal early contribution to Caribbean legal scholarship, Dr. Edwards walked humbly, with a spirit of generosity, and a characteristic equanimity left its mark on all nearby. Each conversation with him was blessing, even more cherished now that he is gone.

John Graham on behalf of the Cornwall College Old BoysAssociation (Kingston Chapter)

The Cornwall College Old Boys Association (Kingston Chapter) pays homage to our esteemed and beloved member Dr. Adolph Edwards. His love and commitmenttoCornwallwas fervent and unwavering. His constancy and camaraderie were greatly appreciated and a source of inspiration and encouragement.

Hailing from Mandeville, Dr. Edwards was the son of the owners of the renown (well-known) bus company, “Confidence”. He was sent up to Cornwall College as a boarder in the first form. He distinguished himself during his time there, both as a scholar and an athlete, and in recognition of his achievements he was appointed captain of school. (head boy). A talented sprinter, he once held the school’s record for the 100-yard dash. He was a great debater, known for his calm and reassuring presence both during his school years and throughout his life.

In the tradition of Cornwall College Dr. Edwards embarked on a brilliant academic career at the London School of Economics and later the University of London, where he gained a PhD in law. His PhD thesis was cited as “a profound study of the development of the criminal law in Jamaica from the English Conquest.”

Dr. Edwards was a human rights advocate consistently from his early years, joining a legal team organised by the West Indian Standing Conference to assist imprisonedWest Indians in the London area. Respected for his legal scholarship and expertise, he contributed significantly to the General Legal Council’s sub-committee working towards the establishment of a formal compulsory system of continuing legal education.

TRIBUTES TO THE LATE DR.ADOLPH EDWARDS

A dedicated patriot and pan-Africanist, he made a valuable contribution to our knowledge of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, through his eloquent writing of a book on the life of the National Hero.

The Cornwall College school song evokes the transformation of boys to men of might. At the

same time, it exhorts us to be inheritors of the Enlightenment, changing darkness into light.Those of us who encountered Dr Adolph Edwards’ personal warmth, his keen legal mind, his professional integrity, will have no doubt that he embodied this inheritance. A man of might now gone into the fullness of the Light.

I was senior to the Edwards boys at Cornwall College but I still treasure the memory of taking Maurice and Ivor, one under each arm, down to the playing field.Adolph was the youngest and fastest, a renowned hundred-yard sprinter. Later in life when I settled in Mandeville I would meet and compete with his dad, Mr. Willy Edwards. Confidence and Treasure Girl bus companies were the largest in Manchester and were a catalyst for developmentinthecentralparishes,bytransporting school children, farmers and workers in a young developing Jamaica. Adolph, a young budding lawyer was his father’s CONFIDENCE and right hand. In those days, the Transport Authority, headed by Judge Carberry, was structured to enable any prospective bus operator to vie and challenge

the older established operators over routes available. An expensive, time-consuming, legal system withAdolph being one of the young shining stars, usually overcoming all opposition, including Treasure Girl’s. Itwas a measureoftheman and the Edwards family that despite these legal tussles we lived as a family of bus operators. Parts that were in short supply were readily swapped between the two companies, including our wrecking service, which operated at no cost to both. This camaraderie wouldblossom intoalongstanding family andlegal relationship with Adolph being retained to handle all our legal affairs. Retained, but just as with Maurice’s services NEVER A PENNY CHARGED! His illustrious career embodied politeness, humility, integrity, and sheer legal brilliance. Rest in PeaceAdolph, you will be sorely missed by the James Family.

Tony James (Family Friend)

TRIBUTES TO THE LATE DR.ADOLPH EDWARDS

Dr. JenniferAlexander (Friend)

DearAdolph,

I am using this opportunity to speak these last words to you somehow knowing that you are still smiling as you always did with a light that shone so brightly.Your spirit was always full of laughter and kindness and will forever echo in my heart. The memories we shared were mainly about the legal issues surrounding the madness of Jamaica Public Service and the suffering it gave and still gives to the Hope Pastures community, yet strangely enough it became humorous at times because of your joyful spirit. Your research and involvement had a tremendous impact on the case and I promise you that we will continue our fight in that arena knowing that we have you beside us all the way. One of your greatest contributions was the

detailed research and writing about The Jamaica Public Service in Hope Pastures. For this we are forever grateful and I promise I will complete this into the book we always spoke about. Lord Anthony Gifford who has retired asked me to say how much he too appreciated your input and sends his condolences to your family.

For me I will carry your courage and unwavering resilienceto keep serving even duringyour timesof greatest adversity. Rest peacefully my friend knowing you gracefully touched the lives of everyone you met. You were indeed the best definition of a Quiet Giant. One Luv, Jennifer.

Mrs.Angela Hudson-Phillips Q.C. (Colleague and Friend)

I met Adolph many, many years ago, first in London as we were fellow members of a West Indian Group of students. Upon my return to Jamaica, after leaving a government post, I entered private practice. Adolph and I had offices in the same chambers for about 30 years. There are several stories that I could cite to show Adolph’s character; I will elaborate on two in the piece. We were in chambers together, when our senior colleagues had taken a trip to theAfrican continent. As luck would have it, there was an earthquake. Adolph told me to get in between two filing cabinets for protection. He was by the window, where the glass broke and had to be replaced. His instinct was to make sure that I was okay even knowing that he could have been seriously hurt.

The second story has to do with my husband, Archie who liked things done a certain way. It is testament to that fact that Archie requested that Adolph become his lawyer. Adolph had the ability to start something, see it through to the end and complete the task in such a way that no one could question the outcome. This ability wonArchie over and he trusted Adolph completely. The sentiments of Adolph’s character were recently echoed by my niece Claire, who I recently tried consulting with on a legal matter. Claire insisted: “Go straight to Adolph…he will take care of it.” Not only did Adolph becameArchie’s lawyer butArchie became Adolph’s doctor.Thetwo families soon merged and what started off with purely professional -

TRIBUTES TO THE LATE DR.ADOLPH EDWARDS

encounters, soon blossomed into a beautiful friendship. His children became like our children who we joined at many family gatherings and celebrations. Adolph was particularly helpful and supportive when Archie passed. We made further plans to conduct business in January and then he floated away. I will miss him dearly.

Mrs. Cherriline Lewis (AdministrativeAssistant)

TRIBUTE TO MYWONDERFUL BOSS

It is with a heavy heart that I write this tribute, as words cannot fully capture the deep sorrow I feel. Since 2005, you have been more than just a Boss to me; you have been a mentor, a confidante, and a true friend. Your genuine kindness and rare, beautifulsoultouchedmylifeandthatofmyfamily in ways I never imagined possible.

You were always there when I faced problems and offered your unwavering support whenever I needed help. Even as you battled illness, you never ceased to amaze me with your strength and selflessness. Your resilience and dedication were truly inspiring.

Hugheana and Ruel James (Friends)

I first learned of Adolph through a friend. Then he was Judge Edwards to my mind. A man of great intellect based upon what that friend had to say, who knew him in a professional capacity. She was a scrabble enthusiast and it seemed to her that there was no word that he did not know. Not that he played scrabble at work mind you, but I deduced that she would query him on words from time to time and he never failed to provide the meaning of the word. When I finally met Adolph through my wife Hugheana, he quickly gained my deep respect, for he was such a humble man, a decent human

I will miss our chats, calls, and even our disagreements and fun moments, more than words can express. Your constant reassurance that you were okay, even when you didn’t want me to worry, was a testament to your incredible character.

Although you are no longer with us, I find comfort in knowing that you are now free from pain and suffering. You were, and always will be, a rare gem a shining example of what it means to be a genuinely kind, compassionate, and caring person.

Rest in peace, my dear Boss. Your memory will forever live on in my heart.

With love, deepest gratitude and heartfelt sorrow.

being who did not exude the airs that many of his stature in life might be tempted to display. He was easy going and had a dry sense of humour. I remember a conversation wehad in the driveway of Peggy and Adolph’s home. We were discussing painting their home if I recall, and the topic of paint colourscameup.Well,Adolphhadaveryparticular opinion on certain shades and a colour was mentioned which he did not like. He said it would “hurt my eyes”. And he was mischievous. On one occasion while waiting in the doctor’s office with his leg in a cast, a fellow patient in the room took

TRIBUTES TO THE LATE DR.ADOLPH EDWARDS

objection to how he perceived Peggy to be treating him. It was clear to both of them that the man was not quite right in the head. However,Adolph chose to adopt the posture of a poor defenseless husband much aggrieved by his wife’s treatment but unable to do anything about it. Of course, this just added to the man’s indignation and criticism of Peggy. Mischievous fellow indeed. Over the years Hugheana always said that he was like the big brother she never had. On a number of our visits to JamaicaAdolph took us to Gloria’s, a favourite of his. Adolph flew off the day we flew in. I suppose he decided that he would see us at another time. We will miss him