Iris de Freitas (1896-1989)

Born in British Guiana (now Guyana), Iris de Freitas came to study at Aberystwyth University in 1918.

She studied botany, Latin and law and gained her BA in 1922 and her LLB (Bachelor of Law degree) in 1927. When she returned home to the Caribbean she became not just the first woman to practise law there, but also the first one to prosecute a murder trial.

If you’re looking for a study room in Aberystwyth University, you may find yourself in the Iris de Freitas room. This was named after her in 2016, after her story came to light.

Read Alex Wharton's poem, inspired by the life and achievements of Iris de Freitas. 

Iris de Freitas Brazoa 

What did you make of

the windy shore? Rough

rocks whipped by the Irish sea.

White froth on the dark

waves. White gulls on the

deep sky. And you. Black

woman wearing Aberystwyth gown.

Postcard mystery. Graduate of

language., law, botany. All those

names for daffodil,

    Narcissus, Cennin Pedr, Narciso

Your life is a flagstone in

history. Your voice, an echo in

the Caribbean courts. Fearless in

the face of killers. Real killers.

Real life. Not for the faint hearts

but frontrunners, creators of change.

You were never lost, not really.

resting, maybe – but twinkling all

the same. May sunlight continue

to smooth your face. And the

people remember your name.