First Prime Minister of Jamaica

Bio

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