Sir William Alexander Clarke Bustamante (February 24, 1884 - August 6, 1977) was a conservative Jamaican politician and labor leader. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... February 24 is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1884 is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar). ... August 6 is the 218th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (219th in leap years), with 147 days remaining. ... 1977 was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1977 calendar). ...

He was born William Alexander Clarke to an Irish planter and an African mother but claimed that he took the name Bustamante to honour an Iberian sea captain who befriended him in his youth.

After travelling the world, including working as a policeman in Cuba and as a dietician in a New York City hospital,he returned to Jamaica in 1932 and became a leader of the struggle against colonial rule. He first brought himself to public attention as a writer of letters to the Daily Gleaner newspaper; in 1937 he became treasurer of the Jamaica Workers' Union which had been founded by labour activist Allan G.S. Coombs. During the 1938 labour rebellion he quickly became identified as the spokesman for striking workers, and first manifested the charisma that was to lead to a distinguished political career. 1932 is a leap year starting on a Friday. ... 1937 was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1938 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ...

He was imprisoned for subversive activities in 1940 however the anti-colonial effort resulted in the granting of universal suffrage to Jamaica. Upon his release, in 1943, he founded the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union and the Jamaican Labour Party which won 22 of 32 seats in the first House of Representatives elected by universal suffrage, making Bustamante the unofficial government leader (as Minister for Communications) until the position of Chief Minister was created in 1953. He held this position until the JLP was defeated in 1955. Universal suffrage (also general suffrage or common suffrage) consists of the extension of voting privileges to all adults, without distinction as to race, sex, belief or social status. ... The Jamaica Labour Party is a right-wing political party in Jamaica. ... A Chief Minister is the elected Head of Government of a British overseas territory that has attained self-government. ... 1953 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1955 is a common year starting on Saturday. ...

Though initially a supporter, he came to be an opponent of the Federation of the West Indies and agitated for Jamaica's status as an independent state. It was Bustamante's decision that the JLP would not contest a by-election to the federal parliament that resulted in his rival and cousin, Premier Norman Manley, calling the referendum in 1961 that led to Jamaica's withdrawal and the break-up of the Federation. National motto: Official language English Capital Chaguaramas Capitals coordinates Largest city {{{largestcity}}} {{{head_of_state}}} {{{current_head_of_state}}} {{{head_of_government}}} {{{current_head_of_government}}} Political system Constitutional monarchy Area  - Total   - % water Ranked % Population   - Total (1960)   - Density Ranked approx. ... Norman Washington Manley (July 4, 1893 - September 2, 1969), was a Jamaican statesman. ...

Jamaica was granted independence in 1962 and Bustamante served as the independent country's first Prime Minister until 1967. However, in 1965 he withdrew from active participation in public life, and real power was held by his deputy, Donald Sangster. His cousin, Norman Manley, founded the JLP's chief rival, the People's National Party. 1962 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Prime Minister of Jamaica is Jamaicas head of government, currently Percival Patterson. ... 1967 was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... Sir Donald Burns Sangster (October 26, 1911 - April 11, 1967) was a Jamaican politician and Prime Minister of Jamaica. ... Norman Washington Manley (July 4, 1893 - September 2, 1969), was a Jamaican statesman. ... For other uses, see Peoples National Party (disambiguation). ...

External link

• Sir Alexander Bustamante (http://www.moec.gov.jm/heroes/bustamante.htm) biography