Important People in Jamaica’s History

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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



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


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.



Marcus Mosiah Garvey

Born: August 17, 1887 in St. Ann’s Bay

Died: June 10, 1940


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.



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

Important People in Jamaica’s History

Documents

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