Sydney Selvon

Sydney Selvon (24 March 1948 – 26 August 2021) was a Mauritian journalist, historian, and diplomat. He served as the editor-in-chief of the national daily newspaper Le Mauricien and represented Mauritius internationally as the High Commissioner to Australia.

As an academic and historian, Selvon authored several extensive works on the history of Mauritius, most notably the Historical Dictionary of Mauritius (Scarecrow Press).

Career Journalism Selvon began his career in journalism, eventually rising to become the editor-in-chief of the major Mauritian daily French-language newspaper, Le Mauricien. During his tenure, he was recognized for his reporting, winning the Prix Marcel Cabon in 1979 and the Nicolas Lambert Prize for Journalist of the Year in 1980. He was a founding member and general secretary of the Association of Journalists of Mauritius.

Political and diplomatic service Selvon was active in Mauritian politics and served as a Member of Parliament representing the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM).

Personal life and death Selvon was married to Marie Danielle Selvon, who also served as a Member of Parliament in Mauritius. He died on 26 August 2021 at the age of 73 in Grand Gaube, Mauritius.

Selected works Historical Dictionary of Mauritius (Scarecrow Press, 1991) ISBN 978-0810824805 A Comprehensive History of Mauritius: From the Beginning to 2001 (M.D.S., 2001) ISBN 978-9990329964 A New Comprehensive History of Mauritius, Volume 1: From Prehistory to the Birth of Parliament in 1886 (2012) ISBN 978-1977760371 A New Comprehensive History of Mauritius, Volume 2: From British Rule to the 21st Century (2012) ISBN 978-9994934928