Arnold R. Highfield

Arnold Ray Highfield (March 10, 1940 – September 8, 2019) was an American professor, historian, linguist, writer, and poet, best known for his historical works on the Danish West Indies and the United States Virgin Islands.

Early life and personal life

Arnold Highfield, the eldest of two children, was born in New Boston, Ohio, Highfield earned a BA in Social Sciences and History from Ohio State University in 1964 and an MA in [Medieval History] in 1966. In 1966–67,

Teaching career

Highfield began his teaching career as an assistant instructor and departmental tutor, History Department, Ohio State University, in 1964–66.

Honors

Highfield is a past member of Phi Alpha Theta, National History Honorary Society; recipient of the Faculty of the Year Award for the St. Croix Campus, College of the Virgin Islands, for the academic years 1975–76, 1976–77, and 1977–78, as selected by the student body; Scholar-in-Residence, University of the Virgin Islands, 1995–2007; honoree as a "Virgin Islands Hero" by AT&T in 1997; recipient of the Governor's Virgin Islands Medal for Excellence in Literature in August 1997; recipient of the University of the Virgin Islands Faculty Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship, May 1998. Authored Crucian Recollections: From the Compelling Past of a Storied Island published in 2014 by Antilles Press, Christiansted, USVI. Authored Sainte Croix 1650–1733: A Plantation Society in the French Antilles published in 2013 by Antilles Press, Christiansted, USVI. Authored Sea Grapes and Kennips: The Story of Christiansted Town and Its People published in 2012 by Antilles Press, Christiansted, USVI. Authored Under a Taino Moon published in 2008 by Antilles Press, Christiansted, USVI. Edited Hans West's Accounts of St. Croix in the West Indies published in 2004 by The Virgin Islands Humanities Council. Edited Emancipation in the US Virgin Islands: 150 Years of Freedom; 1848–1998 published in 1999 by The Virgin Islands Humanities Council. Co-edited Historicity and Variation in Creole Studies published in 1981 by Karoma Publishers, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI. (cloth), 0-89720-027-3 (paper) Authored A Brief History of St. Croix published in 1973 by Carib Things Co., Christiansted, USVI. , During that same period, he also wrote a weekly column for the St. Croix Avis for a period of two years, covering cultural events and topics dealing with history and society.