The Right Excellent Norman Washington Manley, M.M., Q.C., B.C.L., LLD (Hon.)
FIRST AND ONLY PREMIER: July 1959 – July 1962
NATIONAL HERO (1969)
Legacy
Shares with cousin Alexander Bustamante, the honour of being one of the two ‘Founding Fathers’ of Jamaica’s Independence, attained peacefully, August 6, 1962.
Personality
Physically attractive with athletic build, dignified bearing, sharp features and piercing eyes. Acknowledged as profound thinker, articulate spokesman, brilliant advocate, and skilful negotiator. Widely acknowledged for impeccable integrity and statesmanlike conduct. He has been described as a man of many parts and many accomplishments.
Education
He studied at Jamaica College, and overseas at Jesus College, Oxford, England. A Rhodes Scholar, he distinguished himself at Oxford and was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn in 1921. There, he gained the Certificate of Honour in the Bar Finals and copped the Lee Prizeman Award.
Profession
Admitted to the Jamaican Bar in 1922.
Military Service
Enlisted in the British Army in 1914 and served in an Artillery Regiment, gaining a Military Medal.
Party Leader
Co-founder with O. T. Fairclough the People’s National Party (1938) and President throughout his political career, until his retirement from politics, due to illness, July 4, 1969
Prowess
He was an outstanding schoolboy athlete, excellent horseman, and military marksman
Born
July 4, 1893, in Manchester, Jamaica
Parents
Thomas Albert Samuel Manley, and wife Margaret
Married
Edna nee Swithenbank, 1921 (d. Feb. 10, 1987)
Children
Douglas and Michael
Died
September 2, 1969
Age at Death
76-years old
The Right Excellent Sir William Alexander Bustamante, G.B.E., LL.D (Hon.)
FIRST PRIME MINISTER Aug. 6, 1962 – Feb. 27, 1967
NATIONAL HERO (1969)
Legacy
Shares with cousin Norman Washington Manley, the honour of being one of the two ‘Founding Fathers’ of Jamaica’s Independence, attained peacefully, August 6, 1962
Personality
Physically impressive, standing approximately 6’5’ with gangling gait. A strong, wiry body and shock of grey hair made him a sort of living legend to the masses whose cause he championed against the colonial powers.
Known for his terse and telling phrases that cut to the quick of things, and for remarkable stamina that made him work tirelessly all over the island, particularly at the waterfront and at the sugar estates, where there were great concentrations of people. He tended to have a dictatorial style, marked nevertheless with sparkling magnanimity.
Education
Elementary schools, and by Private Tuition
Founder
The Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (1938) and the Jamaica Labour Party (1943).
Work Experience
Store Clerk, Bee Keeper, Dairy Farmer, Junior Estate Overseer, Tramcar Inspector, Wall Street Speculator, Money Lender, Trade Unionist.
Born
February 24,1884, Blenheim, Hanover, Jamaica
Parents
Robert Constantine Clarke, and wife Mary nee Wilson
Married
Gladys Longbridge, September 7,1962
Children
None
Died
August 6, 1977
Age at Death
93-years old
The Most Honourable Sir Donald Burns Sangster, ON, KCVO
SECOND PRIME MINISTER Feb. 22, 1967 - April 11, 1967
Legacy
Great social servant and Good steward of financial resources. He was a particularly loyal supporter of Sir Alexander and faithful Deputy Leader in the Jamaica Labour Party, from 1949 to 1967. Became involved in politics when 21 years old and served with dedication until sudden illness and death, thirty years later.
Personality
Serious, hardworking and every bit a gentleman; much loved, much admired, and widely respected.
Education
He attended Munro College, 1921-1929, where he excelled in academics and participated in cricket, athletics, boxing, and gymnastics.
Profession
Immediately after leaving school he entered into legal Apprenticeship to be a Solicitor. He was admitted to practice in Jamaica in 1937
Service
He was a member of numerous boards and committees representing the interests of Farmers, Boy Scouts, Educators and Sportsmen. He also attended several international conferences on behalf of the Government – in New Zealand, England, Canada, and Barbados.
Work Experience
Solicitor and Pen Keeper.
Born
October 26, 1911, in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica
Parents
W. B. Sangster and wife Cassandra
Married
Bachelor
Children
None
Died
April 11, 1967
Age at Death
51-years old
The Most Honourable Michael Norman Manley, ON, OM, OCC
FOURTH PRIME MINISTER:
March 2, 1972 – November 4, 1980, and February 13, 1989 – March 30, 1992
Legacy
He has impacted the nation with a greater sense of importance and urgency regarding national identity, and, internationally, he has impacted the ideas of capitalist and socialist leaders with his advocacy of Democratic Socialism
Personality
Tall, handsome, forceful and flamboyant, Michael Manley has been undoubtedly Jamaica’s most eloquent, visionary, controversial, and dynamic leader since independence.
Education
He studied at Jamaica College (1935-43) and overseas at the London School of Economics (1945-49). There, he came under the influence of Harold Laski, the man more responsible than any other for the training of men who later became Commonwealth Prime Ministers. At the LSE he gained academic honours.
Service
Has been a journalist, trade unionist, party president, senator, Cabinet Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Vice president of the Socialist International, and Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Authorship
A prolific writer of articles and books. Publications include – The politics of Change (1973), Search for Solutions (1977), JAMAICA: Struggle in the Periphery (1982), Up the Down Escalator (1987), and, A History of West Indies Cricket (1988).
Born
December 10, 1924
Parents
Norman Washington Manley, and wife Edna
Married
Jacqueline nee Kemellardski, 1946
Thelma nee Varity, 1955
Barbara nee Lewars, 1968
Beverley nee Anderson, 1972
Glynne nee Jones, 1992
Children
Rachel, Sarah, Natasha, Joseph, David
Died
March 6, 1997
Age at Death
72-years old
The Most Hon. Edward Phillip George Seaga, ON, P.C., LL.D. (Hon.)
FIFTH PRIME MINISTER: November 4- 1980 – Feb. 13, 1989
Legacy
Local constituency organization and national cultural development are two areas of particular achievement for Edward Seaga. For forty years was successful in a constituency that no other politician was able to hold for more than five years. His transformation of depressed inner-city areas within his West Kingston constituency, into vibrant communities, made him the unrivalled king of constituency transformation in Jamaica. Culturally, he was the nation’s leading pioneer of ideas and institutions to promote culture, nationally and internationally.
Personality
A serious and sharp thinker, witty and gifted in producing the apt, cutting phrase. Despite a dour look most times, he has a great sense of humour and is known widely for his exceptional deeds of kindness and rendering of practical assistance to the poor and needy.
Education
Wolmer’s Boys School, in Jamaica, and in the USA, Harvard University, graduating in 1952 with a degree in the Social Sciences.
Service
Long and impressive record of important and innovative accomplishments, beginning formally with his nomination to the Legislative Council at 29 years old, the youngest person ever to hold that membership. He was Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party since 1974. He became Prime Minister in 1980 and held office for two successive terms.
Authorship
Booklets – Parent Teacher Relationship, Development of the Child, and, Revival Cults. Also compiler of an album of music – Folk Music of Jamaica – recorded by Ethnic Folkways Library
Born
May 28, 1930 in Boston, Massachusetts, of Jamaican parents travelling then, and brought home when three months old.
Parents
Phillip George Seaga and Erna nee Maxwell
Married
Marie Elizabeth ‘Mitzie’ nee Constantine, 1965
Karla Frances nee Vendryes, 1996
Children
Christopher, Andrew, Anabella, Gabrielle
The Most Honourable Percival Noel James Patterson, ON, OCC, PC, QC
SIXTH PRIME MINISTER: March 30, 1992 to March 30, 2006
Legacy
Jamaica’s most successful politician at national level, breaking the ‘third-term’ barrier. His style of leadership is not to rely on fiery rhetoric, but on fundamental principles of procedure. He has done more than any other political leader to date, to empower his associates and to structure a party committed negotiate peace and settle differences through a reconciling process rather than confrontation. His wide experience at national, regional and international level, as a negotiator, has served him well in office as Prime Minister.
Personality
Slim in build, slow of speech, sharp with wit and sure of words. He speaks in measured tones but prudently and perceptively, never missing the essence of issues, and never needing to apologize for statements.
Education
Calabar High School, University College of the West Indies, and London School of Economics, England
Profession
He was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 1963 and later that year admitted to Bar in Jamaica
Service
His long and distinguished political career stretches back formally to 1958 when he joined the People’s National Party. He moved through several levels to be become President in 1992, the year he became Prime Minister. His first Cabinet post was that of Minister of Tourism (1972).
He has since served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (1978-80), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development Planning and Production (1989-90), and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Planning (1990-91).
Born
April 10, 1935, on Rousseau Road in St. Andrew, Jamaica
Parents
Henry Patterson and wife Ina nee James
Married
August 24, 1960 to Shirley Field-Ridley of Guyana (d.1982)
Children
Richard and Sharon
The Most. Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, O.N., M.P.
SEVENTH PRIME MINISTER: March 31, 2006 - September 10, 2007 & January 05, 2012 - Present
Portia Simpson Miller, the nation's seventh Prime Minister, was installed for the second time, on January 05, 2012. Previously, she served as Prime Minister from March 2006 to September 2007, after having served for 17 years as a Cabinet Minister with portfolio responsibility for Labour and Social Security, Tourism, Local Government, Community Development and Sport, at different times. She was conferred with the Order of the Nation in May 2006.
Mrs. Simpson Miller has been President of the People's National Party since 2006 and Member of Parliament since 1976.
The Prime Minister has a distinguished record of service at the regional and international levels: she is a member of the Council of Women World Leaders (an international network of current and former women presidents and prime ministers whose mission is to mobilise on women's issues); vice president of the Organization of American States' High-level Inter-American Network on Decentralization, Local Government and Citizen Participation; Chairperson of the Caribbean Forum of Ministers responsible for decentralization, local government, community development and citizen participation, and board member of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum. She has also been a member of the Board of Trustees of CIFAL (an international training centre for governmental authorities) in Atlanta, Georgia.
In March 2007, Mrs. Simpson Miller was awarded the International Olympic Committee's World Women and Sport Trophy for her outstanding dedication to women in Jamaican sports - both athletes and administrators.
The leading architect of Jamaica's Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development, Mrs. Simpson Miller has been tireless in promoting and strengthening urban renewal and community development, which have led to fundamental reforms in local government.
As Minister of Labour and Welfare, she presided over a significant expansion of Jamaica's Overseas Work Programme and under her watch, the National Insurance Scheme was transformed into a major component of the government's social protection system. She was also instrumental in establishing a Labour Chair in the University of the West Indies, Department of Government.
In 2009, she received the Distinguished Award for her dedication and commitment to urban renewal and community development from the Mayor, City of Miami and also the Bureau of Women's Affairs Award for outstanding contribution to the advancement of women's affairs in Jamaica. Mrs. Simpson Miller was also invited to sit on the board of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and is presently a member of the board.
Mrs. Simpson Miller holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration, an Honorary Doctorate from the Union Institute and University (UI&U), Florida and has participated in the Leaders in Development Executive Programme at the JFK School of Government, Harvard University.
The Hon. Orette Bruce Golding
EIGTH PRIME MINISTER: September 11, 2007 - 2011
Bruce Golding was born on December 5, 1947. He was educated at Alpha Primary School (1955-1957), St. George’s College (1958-1962) and Jamaica College (1963-1966). He entered the University of the West Indies in 1966 and earned a BSc degree in Economics in 1969. In that same year (1969) he was elected to the Central Executive of the Jamaica Labour Party at the age of 21 and was subsequently elected to Parliament in 1972 at the age of 24. He served as General Secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party (1974-1984) and Chairman (1984-1995). He has had 19 years experience as a Member of Parliament representing the constituencies of West St. Catherine and Central St. Catherine as well as 9 years experience as a Senator.
He was appointed Minister of Construction in 1980 serving in that position until 1989 and in that capacity was elected Chairman of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements (1984-1985). He was the Opposition Spokesman on Finance and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (1989-1995). He has served as a member of the Electoral Advisory Committee, the Board of Governors of the Institute of Jamaica and the Board of Directors of the National Lotteries Commission.
In 1995 he resigned from the Jamaica Labour Party and was one of the founders of the National Democratic Movement, serving as its first President (1995-2001). In 2002, he rejoined the Jamaica Labour Party and in November 2003 was again elected Chairman of the Party. He was appointed Senator and Opposition
Spokesman on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in 2002, and held both positions up to April 2005. On February 20, 2005, he was elected Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party. On April 13, 2005 he was elected Member of Parliament for West Kingston. He was of Leader of the Opposition from April 21, 2005 - September 10, 2007. He was sworn in as Jamaica's eighth Prime Minister on September 11, 2007.
Mr. Golding is a businessman. He and his wife, Lorna, were married in 1972 and have one son and two daughters.
The Hon. Andrew Michael Holness, M.P.
NINTH PRIME MINISTER: October 23, 2011 - December 28, 2011
Andrew Holness took office as Jamaica's ninth Prime Minister on October 23, 2011, following his endorsement as Leader of the JLP. He succeeded the Hon. Bruce Golding. He is Jamaica's youngest Prime Minister and the first Jamaican head of Government to be born after the country gained Independence in 1962.
Prime Minister Holness has described himself as a libertarian on the social side and a fiscal conservative on the economic side, and has expressed commitment to promoting and protecting human rights.
As a transformational leader, Prime Minister Holness believes the political arena should "give room to all people to participate provided that they meet certain standards." As an economic conservative, he has committed to prudence in government spending, fiscal discipline and debt management. On the social side, he believes education must be one of the most critical ingredients of national development.
Born to working class parents in Spanish Town, the capital of St. Catherine, Mr. Holness is the son of civil servant, Mrs. Carol Harvey Williams and farmer, Morris Holness.
Mr. Holness served as Executive Director in the Voluntary Organization for the Upliftment of Children (VOUCH) from 1994 to 1996 and then joined the Premium Group of Companies, where he was special assistant to former Prime Minister, Most Hon. Edward Seaga.
In 1997, he became Member of Parliament for West Central St. Andrew and served as Opposition Spokesperson on Land and Development from 1999 to 2002. In 2002, he shadowed the portfolio of Housing, and then Education in 2005.
He was sworn in as Minister of Education in September 2007 following the victory of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in the General Election that year. As Prime Minister he chose to retain the education portfolio.
Prime Minister Holness has two sisters and three brothers. He is married to Juliet and they have two children.