For 95 years, The Bermudian has captured the essence of Bermuda. Launched in February 1930 by editor William D. Richardson, it was dedicated to “Bermuda and the Bermudian life.” Over time, it has mirrored the island’s transformation from a tranquil tourist colony to a modern, affluent society.
In 1930, Bermuda remained relatively untouched by urbanization. While the world faced economic depression, Bermuda thrived, relying on its tourism-driven economy. Until then, the colony depended on foreign publications for publicity. That changed when Richardson, an American resident, introduced The Bermudian to promote the island’s charm. He envisioned a publication that was both sophisticated and distinctly Bermudian, much like The New Yorker, combining wit with insightful cultural observations.
Initially a one-man operation, The Bermudian featured society gossip, tourism highlights, and predictions of aviation’s role in Bermuda’s future. However, Richardson lacked the editorial energy to make the magazine flourish. In 1932, he found his ideal editor: a charismatic young Welshman, Ronald “Ronnie” Williams.
Williams’ journey to Bermuda was unconventional. Born in Wales in 1907, he rejected mining and military life, instead going to sea as a cabin boy. Teaching himself literature, he eventually became a merchant marine purser. Enchanted by Bermuda’s beauty upon his first visit in 1925, he settled here permanently in 1927, immersing himself in the island’s social scene. When Richardson offered him the editor’s role, Williams eagerly accepted, seeing it as a chance to write about the place he loved.
Under Williams, The Bermudian became a polished reflection of Bermuda’s allure. The monthly At Home Abroad column detailed elite gatherings, while features covered everything from dinghy racing to cassava pie. The magazine was visually enriched by striking photography from Walter Rutherford and Ella Barnett, and art-deco covers by Adolph Treidler. Advertisements, reinforced Bermuda’s image as an exclusive retreat. Williams ensured the magazine captured both local charm and international appeal, adopting a tone reminiscent of The New Yorker, with its own version of “Talk of the Town”—From the Crow’s Nest.
More than a cultural beacon, The Bermudian was a marketing powerhouse. Williams convinced the Trade Development Board to distribute 1,500 copies monthly across North America, targeting high-end travel clubs and journalists. This government-backed initiative solidified the magazine as Bermuda’s prime tourism ambassador. Yet, Williams struggled financially, often accepting free cruises in lieu of payment for ads. His lavish social life and a failed attempt to start a magazine in Trinidad added to his financial woes. Despite these challenges, the board continued supporting The Bermudian, recognizing its impact on tourism.
Williams’ home in Somerset became a literary haven, attracting notable figures like James Thurber, E. B. White, and Sinclair Lewis. Thurber, in particular, loved the island’s serenity and often contributed articles. Lewis even used The Bermudian as a platform to caution against modernizing Bermuda at the cost of its charm, warning against gas stations and fast food chains.
With World War II, Williams sold the magazine and joined the Canadian Navy. After the war, he returned to reclaim his editorial role, maintaining The Bermudian as a leading voice in tourism until his death in 1977. By then, Bermuda—and the magazine—was changing.
The 1960s ushered in a new Bermuda, marked by universal voting rights, economic diversification, and political evolution. Tourism, once the island’s economic bedrock, peaked in the late 1970s before declining, making way for international business. This shift was evident in The Bermudian’s advertising: luxury hotels and boutiques gave way to cars, gourmet food, and high-end real estate. Political discourse also transformed. Once a lighthearted reflection of island life, From the Crow’s Nest now addressed issues like traffic congestion and corporate governance.
To remain relevant, The Bermudian had to adapt. Tourists now had competing destinations, and Bermudians wanted a broader perspective on their evolving society. Successive editors, including Ronnie’s daughter Dinah Darby, Kevin Stevenson, Rosemary Jones, and Meredith Ebbin (the magazine’s first Black editor), embraced this shift. Today, Tina Stevenson leads the magazine alongside managing editor, Gabrielle Boyer Dunkley.
Despite modernisation, The Bermudian maintains its core mission: celebrating Bermuda’s distinctiveness. In a fast-changing world, it remains a testament to the island’s heritage, resilience, and charm—just as Ronnie Williams would have wanted.
