Vincent Thompson

Cranston, R.I. — Vincent Bakpetu Thompson, Ph.D., 90, died Friday, March 12, 2021. Born in Zaria, Nigeria, he was a son of the late Gabriel and Mary (Anthony) Thompson. He is survived by several cousins.

Professor Thompson was educated at The Victoria University of Manchester, England, The London School of Economics, and London University. He taught at the University of Nairobi, the University of Guyana, and the University of Michigan prior to becoming, in 1988, a professor of history at Connecticut College, where he was the first professor of African History and the first Director of Africana Studies.

He taught history and Africana Studies at Connecticut College until his retirement in 2008. Professor Thompson’s most recent areas of specialization encompassed both Africa and the Americas and considered Africa, the Caribbean and the rest of the Americas, including the United States. He also shared knowledge about Africa’s diplomatic history. These specializations are reflected in the range of courses he taught: Legal and Constitutional History of East Africa, West African History, Eastern African History, Comparative Slavery, and Historical Methodology relating to Africa.

Professor Thompson’s dedication to teaching was matched by his active scholarly life. After retirement, he published “Conflict in the Horn of Africa: The Kenya-Somalia Border Problem 1941–2014” (University Press of America, 2015). His research covered both Africa and the Diaspora. For example, “Africans of the Diaspora: the evolution of African American consciousness & leadership in the Americas” (Africa World Press) was published in 2000. His other published books include “Africa and Unity: The Evolution of Pan Africanism” (Longman, 1969 and several reprints into the 1980s) and “The Making of the African Diaspora in the Americas, 1441-1900” (Longman, 1987, seventh impression 1996).

Professor Thompson was active in The New York Academy of Sciences, The Royal Institute of International Affairs (London), The Royal Africa Society (London), the Caribbean Studies Association, and the American Historical Association. After retirement he divided his time between New England and London.

Colleagues at Connecticut College and his numerous friends remember Professor Thompson fondly as a great scholar, a caring friend who enjoyed long telephone conversations and writing long letters to keep in touch, a charitable man with deep faith in God and the Church, a lover of good food and an excellent cook. He will be sorely missed.

His funeral service will be held at noon Saturday, May 1, 2021, in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick, R.I., and will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/QuinnFuneralHomes/live_videos/. He will be laid to rest in the Streatham Park Cemetery in London, England.

Face masks are required and social distancing will be observed. For information and condolences, visit TheQuinnFuneralHome.com.