Norman Manley
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Norman Washington Manley (July 4 1893 - September 2 1969), was a Jamaican statesman. A Rhodes Scholar, Manley became one of Jamaica's leading lawyers in the 1920s. With his cousin, Alexander Bustamante, Manley was an advocate of universal suffrage which was granted the colony in 1944. He founded the left wing People's National Party, in 1938, and led it in every election from 1944 to 1967. He served as the colony's Chief Minister from 1955 to 1959, and as Premier from 1959 to 1962. He was a proponent of the island's participation in the Federation of the West Indies but bowed to pressure to hold a referendum in 1961 which resulted in Jamaica withdrawing from the union.
Shortly before his death in 1969 he was proclaimed a National Hero of Jamaica, along with Bustamante, the black nationalist Marcus Garvey, nineteenth century rebel Paul Bogle, and nineteenth century politician George William Gordon.
Manley's wife, Edna (née Swithenbank), was well-known as a sculptor and promoter of the arts on the island. Manley's younger son, Michael Manley, was to serve as Prime Minister of Jamaica. His older son, Douglas, a sociologist served in his brother's cabinet.
| Preceded by: Sir Alexander Bustamante | Chief Minister of Jamaica 1955-1962 | Succeeded by: Sir Alexander Bustamante (Position renamed to Prime Minister of Jamaica) |