Retired veteran photographer Charles Grant died on Saturday at age 78.
Grant was a photographer at the now defunct Daily News and a lithographer at The Barbados Advocate. He joined The Nation’s lithography department in 1975 and three years later, transitioned to full time photography under the direction of the late Gordon Brooks.
The revered photographer, dodged bullets, waded through floods, put himself in precarious positions and went over and beyond to secure the picture for The Nation.
Grant, who lived in Tichbourne, Howell’s Cross Road, St Michael for many years, had a long and illustrious career spanning the 1973 Grenada Intervention, coverage of hurricanes here and abroad in countries like Antigua and Dominica and a host of sporting and cultural events, as well as General Elections and by-elections. He also captured moments of glory and historic developments throughout his years as a photographer.
Grant was also there when fugitive Winston Hall escaped the walls of Glendairy Prison, when he was captured in St Vincent and St Lucia and when he died in St Joseph.
He followed career criminal Alfred Harding, was on the scene with the now iconic picture of the “Melrose Seven” and soon became a household name across Barbados.
Grant saw the rise and fall of Prime Ministers and Governors General; the arrival of visiting heads of state including the late British Monarch Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip and was there for the last flight of the Concorde.
Former colleague Tim Slinger who was at his side for many of these events, said his kind might never be seen again in the media landscape.
Nation Editor Maria Bradshaw who worked closely with Grant as a young reporter and maintained a friendship with him long after he retired, described him as a mentor and motivator.
“He taught me how to be a fearless journalist,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer of The Nation Group Noel Wood described Grant as one of the “builders” of the Nation newspaper who contributed to its legacy.
Grant played a major role in the training of some of the country’s photographers, including his children Cherie, Sandy and Charlie.
He was predeceased by longtime partner Valerie Pitt and leaves to mourn ten children, grandchildren and other relatives and colleagues. (SAT)
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