Tributes have been paid to veteran educator and desegregation campaigner Clifford Maxwell, who died yesterday at the age of 80.

Dr Maxwell’s 40-year career culminated in his appointment as principal at the Berkeley Institute in 1971, a post he held until his retirement in 1990.

Dr Maxwell and his wife Florenz were also members of the Progressive Group, an underground movement that fought — and won — the battle against segregation in the 1950s.

Born in Bermuda in 1933, Dr Maxwell’s teaching career began at the Bermuda Technical Institute, where he remained until 1968 when the Institute became a college. While at the Technical Institute, he earned a Bachelor of Education degree and a Master’s in Educational Administration from the University of Toronto. He then spent a year in the UK, becoming an Associate of the Institute of Education at London University.

On his return to Bermuda, Dr Maxwell was appointed Mathematics master and First Assistant Master at the Berkeley Institute. Within two years, he was made school principal.

But it was not until almost ten years after his retirement that Dr Maxwell’s role in Bermuda’s desegregation movement was revealed.

In June 1959, a group of young, black professionals, known as the Progressive Group, began campaigning for a boycott of the Island’s theatres, which implemented a segregated seating policy.

In an orchestrated campaign, members bombarded the Island with posters and flyers, calling for everyone to avoid the theatres.

And the call for peaceful action was so effective that within two weeks, theatre bosses caved in and agreed to ban segregation in their theatres. Hotels also lifted segregation in their restaurants and clubs.

The identities of the Progressive Group remained a secret until 1999 when a tribute ceremony for the 18 men and women was held at City Hall. Dr Maxwell and his fellow activists were each awarded a Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour in recognition of their work to end segregation.

In a 2009 interview with The Royal Gazette, Dr Maxwell explained why Progressive Group members had remained anonymous.

“There could have been repercussions,” he said.

“As far as we were concerned, we didn’t own property, but our parents did. They would have been able to stop their mortgage, that sort of thing.”

Yesterday the One Bermuda Alliance described Dr Maxwell as “a well-known and distinguished educator”.

Party chairman Thad Hollis said: “Dr Maxwell left his mark on thousands of Bermudians who were his pupils during those 40 years. He made a very substantial contribution to Bermuda during his life. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family.”

Education Minister Nalton Brangman added: “Bermuda has truly lost one of our stellar citizens. Dr Clifford Maxwell had a distinguished career as an educator and community leader. He was the principal at the Berkeley Institute when I was student. I recall him to be a very focused and dedicated teacher. He was firm but fair in the way he approached teaching and leading the school.

“Without a doubt, through his many years as a teacher and principal, he touched and influenced thousands of lives and in turn has left a great legacy for future generations of Bermudians.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Education, we extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Florenz Maxwell, his sons and extended family.”

Progressive Labour Party leader Marc Bean said Bermuda owed “a tremendous debt” to Dr Maxwell and his wife.

“Through his work with The Progressive Group, Bermuda was moved closer to a place where every Bermudian, regardless of the colour of their skin, will be treated with fairness and equality,” Mr Bean said.

“Through his work in education at The Berkeley Institute, he helped to shape the minds of scores of Bermudians who, to this day continue to contribute positively to our island home. We owe Dr Maxwell and his wife Florenz a tremendous debt.

“The prayers of our people are with the family of Dr Maxwell and Bermuda is thankful for his life.”

Dr Maxwell was President of the Bermuda Union of Teachers in 1960, and served for a period as President and executive member of the Association of School Principals. He was awarded a doctorate in Educational Administration at Atlanta University in Georgia in 1983 and following his retirement, served on the Berkeley Institute’s board of governors.