John Spence (scientist)

John Arnott Spence (15 July 1929 – 6 March 2013) was a Vincentian-born Trinidadian politician, botanist, and professor emeritus. Spence served as an independent Senator in the Senate of Trinidad and Tobago from 1987 to 2000.[1]

Image of Prof. John Spence

Spence was born on 15 July 1929, on the island of Saint Vincent. He moved to Trinidad when he was 11 years old.[2] He attended Queen's Royal College and the University of Bristol, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in botany in 1951.[2] Spence then completed a post-graduate diploma in Agricultural Science at the University of Cambridge in 1952 and a second diploma in Tropical Agriculture in 1953 from the Trinidad Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture in 1953.[2] He earned a doctorate in 1961 from the University of Bristol.[2]

Spence served as the head of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of the West Indies in Saint Augustine until his retirement in 1989.[1][2] He then became the head of the Cocoa Research Unit (CRU), which he is credited with its expansion into an internationally recognized center.[2][3]

Within the field of botany, Spence uncovered the importance of the polyphenol oxidase enzyme, which helps cocoa pods resist Phytophthora palmivora, which causes black pod disease.[2] He also developed several varieties of dwarf pigeon peas which can be harvested by machine, instead of by hand.[2]

Spence was the recipient of the gold Chaconia Medal in 1980 and the NIHERST Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.[2] He became a fellow of the Fellow of the Caribbean Academy of Science in 1990.[2]

John Spence died of a heart attack on 6 March 2013, at the age of 83.[1] He was survived by his wife, Yolande Spence, and their sons, John Malcolm Spence, Louis Spence and Richard Spence.[3] His funeral was held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Sports and Education Centre in St Augustine.[1]