He grew up in Buxton, East Coast Demerara, where he received his primary education. In 1927 he passed the school leaving examination and became a pupil teacher at the age of 15 to begin a 45-year career as a teacher. He retired in 1972.

He has seven children, 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, who live in America except for one daughter and her son who live in Guyana. He has written three books of poems and was recognised as a Poet of Merit by the American Poetry Association.

His varied background is reflected in Butisingh's blog; he writes about life in Buxton, on philosophy, economics, politics, environment, poetry, history, psychology and religion.

He has a secular world view and wrote last year: 'I was raised as a Christian from birth by Hindu parents and grew up in the Christian Church, in a village which was predominantly Afro-Guyanese. But eventually I separated from the church as I saw it as exclusive and divisive and I wanted to be involved in all mankind.... I am at present living in the home of my son-in-law and daughter, who are Muslims.'

At the age of 80 he began learning Arabic so that he could read the Koran.

Butisingh has studied comparative religions and philosophies. He believes that 'there is a fine thread of truth woven into the fabric of all of religions, but very few are able to find it. Those who find it, the mystics, although their source may be different, find themselves in the same brotherhood journeying to the same destination.'

(Shubha Singh can be contacted at shubhasingh101@gmail.com)