important people in jamaica’s history
TRANSCRIPT
Important People in Jamaica’s History
Caribbean Youth Development Institute
Introduction There are many important people who have helped to shape the Jamaican nation.
Many of which have led or influenced the important events that were discussed in the
previous topic. Here we will highlight those important individuals and their work or
impact on the nation.
Before we begin to list the names of these individuals, we must define a few important
terms:
Hero - This is a person who shows great acts of courage or strength when faced with
danger or adversities. Our national heroes and heroine was named because of their
services to Jamaica in a most distinguished nature.
Heroine - The title given to a female hero. Our only heroine is Nanny of the Maroons.
Nation - A large group of people united by history, culture or language and are located
in a particular territory. Eg. Jamaica
Important People in Jamaica’s History
Caribbean Youth Development Institute
Profile of Our National Heroes and
Heroine
Norman Washington Manley
Born: July 4, 1893 in Roxborough, Manchester.
Died: September 2, 1969
Parents: Margaret A. Shearer
Thomas Albert Samuel Manley.
Money: Present on the $5 coin.
Short Biography
Manley was a scholar, lawyer, athlete and soldier in World War I. He was the founder
of the People’s National Party (PNP) and remained President for 31 years until his
retirement. He played essential roles in moving the country towards independence
(August 1962) and self-government (July 1959). Manley was conferred with the Order
of National Hero on October 18, 1969 as per Government Notice 706 Jamaica Gazette,
along with his cousin Alexander Bustamante.
Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston was named after him.
Important People in Jamaica’s History
Caribbean Youth Development Institute
George William Gordon
Born: 1820 near Mavis Bank
Died: October 23, 1865
Education: Mostly self-educated
Parents: Ann Rattray and Joseph Gordon
Money: Present on the $10 coin
Short Biography
George William Gordon did a lot. He was a shopkeeper, land owner, produce dealer,
politician, social worker, philanthropist and preacher. He was an evangelist and the
leader of the Native Baptist Movement. He built multiple churches and was elected
into the House of Assembly at an early age in 1843. When he entered politics, he was
an advocate for the poor-stricken peasants and spoke openly on their behalf. During
that time Paul Bogle was actively revolting against the government and they believed
William Gordon played a part when Paul Bogle and his men raided the courthouse and
set it on fire. Due to this a warrant was set for George William Gordon by Governor
Eyre. George was sentenced to death on October 21, 1865. In honor of him the
Jamaican Parliament House was named after him. It is often referred to as ‘Gordon
House’ for short.
Important People in Jamaica’s History
Caribbean Youth Development Institute
Paul Bogle
Born: In 1822
Died: October 24, 1865
Money: Present on the 10-cent coin.
Short Biography
Paul Bogle and George William Gordon worked alongside each other. Paul Bogle was
made Deacon of one of George William Gordon’s churches and leader of one of the
parties in charge of taking complaints to the Governor. Due to the many injustices and
poverty Bogle was urged to lead a protest march to the Morant Bay courthouse on
October 11, 1865, also known as the Morant Bay Rebellion. He was captured and
hanged on October 24, 1865. Paul Bogle was appointed with the Order of the National
Hero in 1969 as per the second schedule of the National Honours and Awards Act.
Important People in Jamaica’s History
Caribbean Youth Development Institute
Nanny of the Maroons
Born: Unknown – she may have been born in
Jamaica or Africa.
Died: In the 1750s
Money: Present on the $500 bill.
Short Biography
Much is not known about Nanny of the
Maroons. She was not a slave and originated from the Ashante tribe. She was the
sister of Cudjoe that led the Trelawny Town Maroons and Quao. Her focus was around
the welfare of women and children in the community and she served as a spiritual
leader of the ‘Windward Maroons’ in Nanny Town located in Portland. Nanny was also
a great military leader; she was particularly skilled in organizing the guerilla warfare
conducted by the Eastern Maroons to keep away the British troops who attempted to
overpower them. "Granny Nanny" was always seen as a symbol of strength and unity.
Her grave may be found in Moore Town, Portland (New Nanny Town) at Bump Grave.
Important People in Jamaica’s History
Caribbean Youth Development Institute
Samuel Sharpe Born: In 1780
Died: May 23, 1832
Money: Present on the $50 bill.
Short Biography
Sam Sharpe is known for his
work in leading the Slave Rebellion in 1831. His great leadership qualities have
resulted in many trusting him and he was appointed leader of the native Baptists in
Montego Bay. Sam Sharpe's plan was to have a peaceful protest and have slaves refuse
to work on or after Christmas Day until they were paid properly and got better
treatment.
The information spread quickly throughout other parishes such as Trelawny,
Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth and Manchester. On December 27, 1831, the Kensington
Estate Great House was set on fire and that was the start of the rebellion. The slave
rebellion led to the death of many slaves and 14 whites.
Sharpe was hanged on May 23, 1832. In 1838, slavery was abolished shortly
after the Abolition Bill that was passed by the British Parliament in 1834. He is also
known for his famous saying: “I would rather die upon yonder gallows than live in
slavery”.
On March 31, 1982 the Right Excellent Sam Sharpe was conferred the Order of
the National Hero as per Government Notice 23 Jamaica Gazette along with Nanny of
the Maroons. Sam Sharpe Square in St. James was named after him.
Important People in Jamaica’s History
Caribbean Youth Development Institute
Sir Alexander Bustamante, K.B., O.N.H., Ll.D (Hon.)
Born: February 24, 1884 in Blenheim,
Hanover
Died: August 6, 1977 (Age 93)
Education: Up to the Primary Level
Parents: Robert Clarke and Mary Clarke
Money: Present on the $1 coin
Short Biography
Bustamante during his early years was involved in the trade union throughout Latin
America and the Meditarranean. Upon returning to Jamaica he began to speak out
about the poor social conditions of Jamaica and demanded a better life for those who
were poor and underprivileged. Bustamante then joined the Jamaica Workers and
Tradesmen’s Union as treasurer and here he influenced workers to take action against
their poor conditions as well. This led to Bustamante’s arrest for influencing the people
to gather unlawfully and he was sent to jail without bail followed by a detention camp
in 1940. Upon his release on July 8, 1943 he formed the Jamaican Labour Party (JLP).
Shortly after the passage of universal adult suffrage in May 1944, Bustamante took the
young JLP to the general elections where the Party won 22 of the 32 seats. He was
named Chief Minister in 1953 and became the first Prime Minister of Jamaica in 1962.
The Bustamante Children's Hospital was named after him.
Important People in Jamaica’s History
Caribbean Youth Development Institute
Marcus Mosiah Garvey
Born: August 17, 1887 in St. Ann’s Bay
Died: June 10, 1940
Money: Present on the $20 coin
Short Biography
Marcus Garvey was known for his
work in a published newspaper ‘The Watchman’. He encouraged self-government for
black people worldwide, cultural activities, economic projects and protest against
racial discrimination through the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). He
travelled throughout the United States in 1916 and by 1921 he was the leader of the
largest black organization in history. In 1922 he was charged with fraud and sent to
prison then deported to Jamaica approximately three years later. Upon his return he
continued to organize public meetings and other cultural activities but soon left for
England until he suffered two strokes in 1940 that led to his death. He was buried in
Kendal Green Cemetery, London and in 1964 his body was sent back to Jamaica and
reburied in National Heroes Park. Marcus Mosiah Garvey became Jamaica’s first
National Hero.
Important People in Jamaica’s History
Caribbean Youth Development Institute
Index of Key Terms
Hero
Heroine
Nation
People's National Party (PNP)
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)
Norman Manley International Airport
Samuel Sharpe
Marcus Mosiah Garvey
Nanny of the Maroons
George William Gordon
Paul Bogle
Norman Washington Manley
Sir Alexander Bustamante
Slave Rebellion
Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)
Guerilla Warfare
Jamaican Parliament House (Gordon House)
Morant Bay Rebellion