Raymond Sarif Easmon was a prominent Sierra Leonean doctor known for his literary work and political agitation.

Background and early life

Raymond Sarif Easmon was born to the Easmon family, a prominent medical family. Easmon's father Albert Whiggs Easmon

Albert Whiggs Easmon

Alfred Whiggs Easmon was a Sierra Leonean doctor and the half brother of Dr John Farrell Easmon. Easmon was among first group of Sierra Leoneans to qualify as a medical doctor after getting a degree from Edinburgh University....

 and uncle, John Farrell Easmon

John Farrell Easmon

Dr. John Farrell Easmon, M.R.C.S. MD CMO, was a prominent Sierra Leonean Creole doctor in the British Gold Coast who served as Chief Medical Officer during the 1890's. Easmon was the only West African to be promoted to Chief Medical Officer and served in this role with distinction during the...

 had qualified as a doctors in the 19th century.

Political agitation

Easmon became politically active during the regime of President Siaka Stevens

Siaka Stevens

Siaka Probyn Stevens was the 3rd prime minister of Sierra Leone from 1967–1971 and the 1st president of Sierra Leone from 1971–1985. Stevens is generally criticised for dictatorial methods of government in which many of his political opponents were executed, as well as for mismanaging...

. Easmon criticized the rampant political corruption that occurred during the period and in 1970 was arrested and detained for his opposition to the government.

Literary work

• Dear parent and ogre (1964)
• The new patriots: a play in three acts (1966)
• The burnt-out marriage (1967)
• The feud and other stories (1981)

Sources

• Historical Dictionary of Sierra Leone by C.P. Foray and Magbaily Fyle
• Physicians, colonial racism, and diaspora in West Africa by Adell Patton