JM05 – Geoff Palmer


Stitcher: Susie Palmer

Professor Sir Godfrey (Geoff) Palmer was born in St Elizabeth, Jamaica, in 1940. When he was 14 he joined his mother who had emigrated to London, and on account of his cricket skills was offered a place at grammar school. After attending Leicester University Palmer moved to Scotland in order to continue his studies at Heriot Watt University, specialising in grain sciences and becoming Scotland’s first black professor. He is a proactive human rights campaigner and promoter of equality, leading to various honours including an OBE in 2003, becoming a Freeman of Midlothian in 2011, and a knighthood in 2014.

JM05 Geoff Palmer in-imriche Iameucan
Rugadh an t-Àrd-Ollamh An Ridire Godfrey (Geoff) Palmer ann an St Elizabeth an Iameuca ann an 1940. Nuair a bha e ceithir bliadhna deug, chaidh e còmhla ri mhàthair a bha air às-imrich a Lunnainn, agus mar gheall air a sgilean le criogaid chaidh àite a thairgsinn dha ann an sgòil gràmarach. An dèidh Oilthigh Leicester a fhrithealadh, ghluais Palmer a dh’Alba airson leantainn air adhart le a chuid ionnsachaidh ann an Oilthigh Heriot Watt, a’ sònrachadh ann an saidheansan gràine agus a’ tighinn gu bhith mar a’ chiad àrd-ollamh dubh ann an Alba. Is e iomairteach for-ghnìomhach a th’ ann do chòraichean daonna agus adhartaiche coionnanachd, a’ leantainn gu diofar onairean a’ gabhail asteach an OBE ann an 2003, Saoirseach Meadhan Lodainn ann an 2011, agus ridireachd ann an 2014.