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Kingsley O. Harrop-Williams

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Kingsley Ormonde Harrop-Williams
Born(1947-12-12)December 12, 1947
Golden Grove, West Coast Berbice, Guyana
Died(2019-09-22)September 22, 2019
United States
NationalityGuyanese-American
Alma materCity University of New York (B.Sc., Civil Engineering, magna cum laude)
City University of New York (M.Sc.)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Ph.D., Soil Mechanics and Engineering)
Occupation(s)Civil engineer, educator, poet, author, philanthropist
Years active1970–2019
Notable workIntrusions of Chance: Autobiography of K.O. Harrop from Penury to Ph.D. (2016)
Poetry of K.O. Harrop: Reflections on Life, History, Injustice, Resistance, Civil Rights, and Guyana (2013)
SpouseLynette Gibson
ChildrenKingsley Audwin Harrop-Williams (b. 1973)
Tippi Ann Parson (b. 1976)
Cher Anemone Marquez (b. 1981)
Parent(s)Edric Christopher Harrop-Williams
Adelaide Olivia Pereira-Jardin
AwardsCharles Rathbone Award
Grand Prize, National Library of Poetry North American Open Poetry Contest (1995)
Listed in Marquis Who’s Who in the World (1989–1990)
Listed on the Immigrant Wall of Honor, Ellis Island

Dr. Kingsley Ormonde Harrop-Williams, also known as K.O. Harrop (12 December 1947 – 22 September 2019), was a Guyanese-born civil engineer, poet, author, educator, and philanthropist whose career included contributions to engineering, literature, and community projects.

Early life and education

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Kingsley Ormonde Harrop-Williams was born on 12 December 1947 in Golden Grove, West Coast Berbice, British Guiana, and raised in Smythfield. He was the son of Edric Christopher Harrop-Williams and Adelaide Olivia Pereira-Jardin. He attended Berbice High School and later worked as a clerk at the Transport and Harbors Department in New Amsterdam.

In 1970, Harrop-Williams emigrated to the United States on a student visa. While working minimum-wage jobs to support his widowed mother in Guyana, he pursued higher education at the City University of New York (CUNY), graduating magna cum laude with a degree in civil engineering. He went on to earn a Master’s degree at CUNY and a Ph.D. in soil mechanics and engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, funded by a full scholarship. His autobiography, Intrusions of Chance, recounts his journey from poverty to academic success.[1]

Career and contributions

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Engineering Career

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Harrop-Williams had an extensive career as a civil engineer and educator. He taught at the City College of New York, Carnegie Mellon University, and George Mason University. His professional roles included working as a civil engineer for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy and serving as a consultant for NASA, the Maryland Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Army.

He was a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., and an expert in hydrogeology. Over his career, he published 30 technical articles, contributing significantly to the fields of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. His research has been referenced in prominent studies, including those archived in the ASCE Library, ScienceDirect, KoreaScience, and Google Scholar.[2][3][4]

Kingsley’s work is highlighted in Peterson's Annual Guides to Graduate Study, published in 1982 by the University of Michigan.[5] He also features in Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers (1990), Probabilistic Solutions in Geotechnics (1988), Spatial Modelling and Failure Analysis of Natural and Engineering Disasters through Data-Based Methods, Volume III (2024), the Canadian Geotechnical Journal (1997), Recent Advances in Engineering Mechanics and Their Impact on Civil Engineering Practice (1983), among other publications. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

Literary works

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Harrop-Williams was an author and poet whose works addressed themes of identity, colonialism, resistance, civil rights, and engineering. His notable publications include:

  • Intrusions of Chance: Autobiography of K.O. Harrop from Penury to Ph.D. (2016) – A memoir detailing his rise from poverty in Guyana to earning a doctorate in the United States.
  • Poetry of K.O. Harrop: Reflections on Life, History, Injustice, Resistance, Civil Rights, and Guyana (2013) – A collection of poetry reflecting his personal experiences and broader historical and social struggles.

In 1995, Harrop-Williams received the Grand Prize in the National Library of Poetry North American Open Poetry Contest, underscoring his talent and impact in the literary world.[13]

Published Technical Work

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  • Discussion of Clay Liner Permeability: Evaluation and Variation, published in the Journal of Geotechnical Engineering (Aug, 1987)[14]
  • Discussion of “Predicting Ground‐Water Response to Precipitation” by Dwight A. Sangrey, Kingsley O. Harrop‐Williams, and Jeffrey A. Klaiber (July, 1984)[15][16]
  • Finite Element Analysis of Random Soil Media (Jan, 1988)[17]
  • Earthquake‐Induced Shear Stresses in Soils (Nov, 1988)[18]
  • Random Nature of Soil Porosity and Related Properties (April, 1989)[19]
  • Interference Between Geotechnical Structures (Feb, 1985)[20][21]
  • Closure to “Arch in Soil Arching” by Kingsley Harrop‐Williams (March, 1989, Vol. 115, No. 3[22]
  • Geostatic Wall Pressures (Sep, 1989)[23][24]
  • Reliability of Geotechnical Systems (1980)[25]
  • Probability Distribution of Strength Parameters in Uniform Soils, Vol. 112, No. 3, March 1986, ASCE Engineering Mechanics Journal.[26]
  • Reliability of Cyclic Load Deformation Models for Cohesive Soil, Vol. 6, No. 2, January 1987, Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering. [27]
  • Stochastic Description of Undrained Soil Strength, Vol. 22, November 1985, Canadian Geotechnical Journal.[28]
  • Risk correction factors for bearing capacity analysis (1985)[29]
  • Artificial Intelligence in Soil Exploration, 1st International Conference on Applications of Artificial Intelligence to Engineering Problems, Southampton University, UK, April 1986.
  • Statistical Pattern Recognition and Learning for Construction Robots", 2nd Conference on Robotics in Construction, Pittsburgh, PA, June 1985.
  • Discussion of “Bivariate Lognormal Probability Distribution” by Nick T. Thomopoulos and Anatol Longinow (December, 1984, Vol. 110, No. 12)[30]

Mentorship and advocacy

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Throughout his life, Harrop-Williams emphasized the transformative power of education. He mentored students from underprivileged backgrounds and championed initiatives that supported marginalized communities. His philanthropic efforts included funding the construction of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the African American Museum in Washington, D.C. In his native Guyana, he supported projects such as the New Amsterdam Special Needs Playground.[31]

Recognition and honors

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Harrop-Williams received numerous accolades for his contributions to engineering, literature, and civic life. He was listed in Marquis Who’s Who in the World (1989–1990) and honored on the Immigrant Wall of Honor at Ellis Island. His civic leadership earned him the Charles Rathbone Award, recognizing his dedication to social advancement.

Kingsley’s name on the Immigrant wall of honor on Ellis Island

Additionally, his expertise in engineering and transportation led to his appointment as a member of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Committee on Soil and Rock Properties. [32]

Legacy

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Harrop-Williams’ body of work is an intersection of the personal and the political. His writings explored the Guyanese experience, the legacies of colonialism, and universal struggles for equality and justice.

Through his mentorship and writing, Harrop-Williams contributed to the intellectual and cultural life of Guyana.[33]

Dr. Kingsley Ormonde Harrop-Williams and his wife, Lynette Gibson, had three children:[34]

  • Kingsley Audwin Harrop-Williams (b. 1973)
  • Tippi Ann Parson (b. 1976)
  • Cher Anemone Marquez (b. 1981)

Death

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Kingsley Ormonde Harrop-Williams died on 22 September 2019. He leaves behind his children, many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.[35][36]

References

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  1. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley Ormonde (July 22, 2016). Intrusions of Chance. AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1524615710.
  2. ^ Pardo Tobar, Gislaine Stephany (2024-12-24). "Estudio Experimental y Numérico Del Efecto De Arco". Google Scholar. Retrieved 2024-12-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ American Society of Civil Engineers (1986). ASCE Annual Combined Index, 1985. American Society of Civil Engineers. p. 252. ISBN 9780872625150.
  4. ^ Gun-sun, Yoo (2001-12-01). "The Effect of Cut-slope on Structural Behavior of Cut-and-Cover Tunnel". Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society. 17 (6) – via KoreaScience.
  5. ^ Peterson's Guides, inc (1982). Peterson's Annual Guides to Graduate Study. University of Michigan: Peterson's Guides, 1982. p. 352. ISBN 9780878661855.
  6. ^ American Society of Civil Engineers (1990). Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers. American Society of Civil Engineers. p. 197. ISBN 978-0872627451.
  7. ^ Rétháti, László (2012-12-02). Probabilistic Solutions in Geotechnics. Elsevier Science. pp. 25–28. ISBN 9780444600806.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  8. ^ Spatial Modelling and Failure Analysis of Natural and Engineering Disasters through Data-Based Methods, volume III. Frontiers Media SA. 2024-09-12. pp. 205–207. ISBN 9782832554234.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  9. ^ National Research Council Canada (1997-02-01). "Canadian Geotechnical Journal". Canadian Geotechnical Journal. 34 (1–3): 167–168 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ "Municipal & Industrial Waste". Google Books. 2024-12-29. Retrieved 2024-12-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ Municipal & Industrial Waste. Department of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Wisconsin. 1987. pp. 147–148, 160.
  12. ^ Recent Advances in Engineering Mechanics and Their Impact on Civil Engineering Practice. University of Michigan: ASCE. 1983. p. 944. ISBN 9780872623583.
  13. ^ Harrop, K.O. (2013). "Poetry of K.O. Harrop: Reflections on Life, History, Injustice, Resistance, Civil Rights, and Guyana". Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1481737784.
  14. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley O. (1987). "Discussion of Clay Liner Permeability: Evaluation and Variation". ASCE Library. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1987)113:8(943). Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  15. ^ Dwight A. Sangrey, Kingsley O. Harrop‐Williams, and Jeffrey A. Klaiber (1984-07-01). "Predicting Ground‐Water Response to Precipitation". Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. 110 (7).{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Chandler, Richard J. (1991-04-15). Slope Stability Engineering: Developments and Applications. United Kingdom: Thomas Telford Ltd. p. 66. ISBN 9780727716606.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  17. ^ Gianalberto Righetti and Kingsley Harrop‐William (1988-01-01). "Finite Element Analysis of Random Soil Media". Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. 114 (1) – via ASCE Library.
  18. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley O. (1988-12-01). "Earthquake‐Induced Shear Stresses in Soils". Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. 114 (12) – via ASCE Library.
  19. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley O. (1989-05-01). "Random Nature of Soil Porosity and Related Properties". Journal of Engineering Mechanics. 115 (5).
  20. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley O. (1985-03-01). "Interference Between Geotechnical Structures". Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. 111 (3) – via ASCE Library.
  21. ^ "Applied Mechanics Reviews". American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 38: 66. 1985 – via Google Books.
  22. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley O. (1991-07-01). "Closure to "Arch in Soil Arching" by Kingsley Harrop‐Williams (March, 1989, Vol. 115, No. 3)". Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. 117 (7) – via ASCE Library.
  23. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley O. (1989-09-01). "Geostatic Wall Pressures". Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. 115 (9) – via ASCE Library.
  24. ^ "Géotechnique". Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. 115 (9): 1112–1136. 1991-07-01 – via ASCE Library.
  25. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley Ormonde (2024-12-24). "Reliability of Geotechnical Systems". ProQuest. Retrieved 2024-12-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley O. (1986-03-01). "Probability Distribution of Strength Parameters in Uniform Soils". Journal of Engineering Mechanics. 112 (3) – via ASCE Library.
  27. ^ Samuel Uche Ejezie , Kingsley Harrop-Williams (April 1987). "Reliability of cyclic load deformation models for cohesive soil". Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering. 6 (2): 108–115 – via ScienceDirect.
  28. ^ Kingsley Harrop-Williams, Samuel Ejezie (November 1985). "Stochastic description of undrained soil strength". Canadian Geotechnical Journal – via Canadian Science Publishing.
  29. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley O. "Risk Correction Factors for Bearing Capacity Analysis". Google Scholar. Retrieved 2024-12-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley (1987-03-01). "Discussion of "Bivariate Lognormal Probability Distribution" by Nick T. Thomopoulos and Anatol Longinow (December, 1984, Vol. 110, No. 12)". Journal of Structural Engineering. 113 (3) – via ASCE Library.
  31. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley Ormonde (2019-10-06). "Dr. Kingsley O. Harrop-Williams: December 12, 1947 – September 22, 2019". Guyana Graphic. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  32. ^ "Construction and Difficult Geology: Karstic Limestone, Permafrost, Wetlands, and Peat Deposits" (PDF). TRB Annual Meeting. January 1984. Retrieved 2024-12-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  33. ^ Kaieteur News (June 9, 2013). ""From the Diaspora: Guyanese Poet K.O. Harrop Grand Prize Winner"". Kaieteur News. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  34. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley (2024-12-21). "Kingsley Harrop-Williams Biography" (PDF). Guyana Graphic. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  35. ^ Harrop-Williams, Kingsley O. (2024-12-21). "Obituary for Kingsley O. Harrop-Williams". Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  36. ^ "Kingsley O. Harrop-Williams". Potomac Local News. 2019-09-24. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
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