Robert, Shaaban, 1909-1962

found: Dictionary of African Biography, accessed March 29, 2015, via Oxford African American Studies Center database:(Robert, Shaaban; poet, fiction writer, essayist, biographer, civil servant; born 01 January 1909 in Vibambani, Tanzania; received School Leaving Certificate from Msimbazi School in Dar es Salaam (1926); worked for the British Colonial Civil Service: clerk at the customs department in Pangani, Tanga (1926-1944), wildlife department in Mpwapwa, Tanganyika (1944-1946) and at the Tanga District Office (1946-1959); worked for East African Swahili Committee, East African Literature Bureau, Tanganyika Languages Board, and Tanga Township Authority; awarded the Margaret Wrong Memorial Prize for his contribution to Swahili literature and especially for his autobiography Maisha yangu (1949); received the fifth class (“member”) of the Order of the British Empire; won the first prize at East African Literary Competition (1936); his work linked classical and modern Swahili literature; died 22 June 1962 in Tanzania)