5th Prime Minister of Jamaica. He served as the 5th Prime Minister of Jamaica from November 1, 1980 to February 10, 1989. He graduated from Harvard University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Social Sciences. After graduating, he took a research position at the University of the West Indies. His research led to an interest in popular Jamaican music and to his creation of the West India Records Limited (WIRL), which produced recordings from various popular Jamaican musicians. The WIRL became very successful in the West Indies and, in 1962, he sold the company to musician Byron Lee. That same year, he was elected to Parliament as a member of the Jamaican Labour Party. He went to serve in a couple of cabinet posts and in 1974, became the leader of the party. In 1980, he became prime minister after the Jamaican Labour Party won a landslide victory over the ruling People's National Party in that year's general election. He served as prime minister for over eight years before the People's National Party won back control in the 1989 election. His failure to deliver on his promises to US and foreign investors, as well as complaints of governmental incompetence in the wake Hurricane Gilbert's devastation in 1988 led to his party's defeat. He continued to serve as the leader of the Jamaican Labour Party until 2005 when he retired from politics. After leaving the political field, he went into the academic world. He passed away after a battle with cancer.
5th Prime Minister of Jamaica. He served as the 5th Prime Minister of Jamaica from November 1, 1980 to February 10, 1989. He graduated from Harvard University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Social Sciences. After graduating, he took a research position at the University of the West Indies. His research led to an interest in popular Jamaican music and to his creation of the West India Records Limited (WIRL), which produced recordings from various popular Jamaican musicians. The WIRL became very successful in the West Indies and, in 1962, he sold the company to musician Byron Lee. That same year, he was elected to Parliament as a member of the Jamaican Labour Party. He went to serve in a couple of cabinet posts and in 1974, became the leader of the party. In 1980, he became prime minister after the Jamaican Labour Party won a landslide victory over the ruling People's National Party in that year's general election. He served as prime minister for over eight years before the People's National Party won back control in the 1989 election. His failure to deliver on his promises to US and foreign investors, as well as complaints of governmental incompetence in the wake Hurricane Gilbert's devastation in 1988 led to his party's defeat. He continued to serve as the leader of the Jamaican Labour Party until 2005 when he retired from politics. After leaving the political field, he went into the academic world. He passed away after a battle with cancer.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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