Marcus Mosiah Garvey 1887-1940

Marcus Garvey was born on the 17th of August 1887 in St Ann's Bay, St Ann, the youngest of 11 children.

As a youth he went to Kingston and took up a job at the Government Printing Office. In 1910 he started to publish a small paper called "The Watchman".

In 1914, he founded  the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). He travelled to the US in 1916 and by 1921 the UNIA was the largest Black organisation in history with 859 branches in 30 countries.

In 1922 he was charged with fraud and imprisoned in Atlanta for 3 years before being deported back to Jamaica where he continued his work. In 1935 he expanded his cause to the UK. In 1940 he suffered two strokes, dying from the second one in June. He was buried in London but in 1964 his body was returned to Jamaica and interred at National Heroes Park.

Norman Washington Manley 1893-1969

Norman Manley was born on the 4th of July 1893 at Roxborough, Manchester to Thomas Albert Samuel Manley, planter, and his wife,  Margaret Ann Shearer, from Blenheim, Hanover.

Manley had a brilliant mind and was a Rhodes Scholar. He was also an exceptional athlete in his youth.

In 1938 he founded the People's National Party and remained the Party's president until his retirement in 1969. He served as both Chief Minister and, after Independence, Prime Minister.

He died on the 2nd September 1969 at the age of 76.

Alexander Bustamante 1884-1977

William Alexander Clarke was born on 24th February 1884 at Blenheim, Hanover to Robert Clarke and his wife Mary Wilson.

The family was very poor so he started working after only a primary school education. His job as a clerk required him to travel extensively and he took note of the sub-standard conditions of workers both here and abroad.

Upon his return to Jamaica in 1934 he started to bombard the press calling for improved conditions for workers; he used the nom de plume "Bustamante". In 1937 he became treasurer of the Jamaica Workers and Tradesmen's Union. He was arrested several times for his "inciteful" speeches and during WWII was detained for 18 months. In 1944 he had his name legally changed to Alexander Bustamante.

In 1943 he founded the Jamaica Labour Party and continued to fight for the rights of the poor. In 1953 he was named Chief Minister.

Sir Alexander Bustamante, K.B., O.N.H., Ll.D (Hon.) became the first Prime Minister of independent Jamaica in 1962. He died at the age of 93 on 6th August 1977, Independence Day.

Read more about our National Heroes at
the Jamaica Information Service:
http://www.jis.gov.jm/special_sections/Heroes/Heroes.htm

George William Gordon 1820-1865

Gordon was born in Mavis Bank, St Andrew to Joseph Gordon, a Scottish planter, and a slave woman. He was sent to live in Black River with his godfather who helped with his education though he was mostly self educated.

Gordon eventually became a large land owner and had many interests including social work &and philanthropy. He founded credit unions and Jamaica's first building society.

At the age of 23 he was elected to the House of Assembly for St Thomas. There he advocated the rights of Negro peasants and radically criticized the government. In 1865 he took up Paul Bogle's cause which led to the Morant Bay Rebellion.

Upon hearing a warrant for his arrest had been issued he turned himself in to the Governor. He was arrested, tried and sentenced to death for treason. He was sentenced to death and was hanged on 23rd of October 1865.

Jamaica's House of Parliament is named Gordon House in honour of him.               

Paul Bogle  c1822-1865

Paul Bogle is believed to have been born free near Stony Gut, St Thomas. He owned several small properties.

He was a political adherent of George William Gordon and a Baptist deacon. Gordon had appointed him as the leader of the group selected to make representation to the Governor but he and his followers were having meetings without Gordon's knowledge.

On 11th October 1865 he and about 300 followers marched on the Morant Bay Courthouse which was in session. They killed the Custos and 15 others and freed 51 prisoners. St Thomas was put under martial law and a reward was offered for Bogle.

He was captured and subsequently tried and hanged on 24th October 1865 in front of the burned out Morant Bay Courthouse. A statue of him now stands outside that courthouse.

Sam Sharpe 1801-1832

"Daddy" Sharpe was born a slave in Montego Bay. He was educated by his master for whom he was named and eventually became his right hand man.

One of his responsibilities was to carry "jobbing" slaves for hire to their work. He became very disgruntled at the general treatment of slaves and began to educate the slaves and preach freedom.

He was the main instigator of the 1831 Christmas Rebellion . His idea was the slaves would refuse to work on Christmas Day. This however led to massive violence which began in Montego Bay and rapidly spread throughout the entire Island.

He was captured and hanged on 23rd of May.1832  in the Parade Square, Montego Bay, now Sam Sharpe Square.

Nanny of the Maroons  ?-c1734