Merchant

Dennis Williams Franklyn (1943 – May 19, 1999), better known as The Merchant, was a Trinidad and Tobago calypsonian and songwriter. He was considered one of the most gifted composers in the field. His openness about his HIV+ status helped draw attention to the AIDS epidemic in Trinidad and Tobago.

Early life Franklyn's mother, Marion, died when he was eleven years old, leaving him an orphan. He was placed in the Belmont Orphanage, where he spent "much of his teenage years". According to composer and media personality Alvin Daniell, Franklyn learned to play guitar while living at Belmont Orphanage, but journalist Laura Dowrich-Phillips references a published account that said he was taught to play guitar by calypsonian the Mighty Sniper while in imprisoned for rape. According to Daniel, he was unable to read or write music, and composed lyrics and melody together in his head.

Merchant died from AIDS-related illness on May 19, 1999.