In 1950, Mr. Robert A. Pinkerton, made the courageous and visionary step of founding Cambridge Academy. Formal classes were housed at locations on South Road and Charlotte Street in Georgetown, Guyana South America. “Pinky”, as he was fondly called, immediately sought to imprint his key philosophies on his students and faculty. These included: 1) Without God, nothing is possible. 2) Without hard work and discipline, intellect achieves nothing. 3) Every child of God, that is, every person, deserves a chance to succeed. These principles were evident in the required daily scriptures, student-body recitations and setting of high standards for students. He has always been a principled leader, and the epitome of courage, conviction and caring. Mr. Pinkerton often provided partial or full scholarships to students whose parents could not afford the tuition.
Within a very short time, Cambridge Academy began to generate students with outstanding performances at the College of Preceptors (CP), Senior Cambridge and General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations. Many of these students have gone on to become global leaders in professions, such as, education, medicine, religion, law, engineering and entrepreneurial businesses. They include the world renowned scientist, Dr. Frank Douglas, as well as, Rev. Dr. Loyda Gray, Rev. Dr. Walter Eversley, Mr. Ed Caesar, Dennis Baird, Esq. Ms. Lorna Welshman-Neblett, Dr. Keith Hampden, Mr. Denis Carrington, Dr. Aubrey Bentham, Mr. Ian Hall, Mr. Ewan Devonish, Mr. Courtney Fanfair, Dr. Desiree DeFlorimonte, Dr. Myrtle Adams-Smartt, Ms. Winifred Doris and others too numerous to mention.
After twenty-five years of educating and nurturing generations of Guyanese, Cambridge Academy closed its doors in 1975 when Mr. Pinkerton retired. Now at age 93, Mr. Pinkerton continues to communicate with his students and faculty. Cambridgites are honored to have been taken under his wings and he has had a profound and lasting influence on the academic as well as spiritual lives of his students and faculty.
