Norman Washington Manley

Norman Washington Manley 1893-1969, prime minister of Jamaica (1959-62); father of Michael Manley . Of Irish and African descent, he was educated at Oxford and became an internationally known lawyer. He founded the moderately socialist People's National party in 1938, and, with his cousin, Alexander Bustamante, dominated Jamaican politics for several decades. He served as chief minister of Jamaica (1955-59) before being designated prime minister. He pushed land reform and encouraged economic growth, especially in the bauxite and tourist industries. He was the architect of the short-lived West Indies Federation (1958-62; see under West Indies ).

Manley, Norman Washington (4 July 1893, d. 2 Sept. 1969). Leader of Jamaica 1955–62 Educated at Jamaica College, his studies in Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar were interrupted by his service in World War I. He was called to the Bar in 1922, and was recognized as one of the foremost lawyers of his generation through his appointment as a KC (King's Counsel) in 1932. In Jamaica, in 1938 he founded the People's National Party (PNP). In the same year he successfully defended Bustamante on charges of sedition. After winning the 1955 elections he was Chief Minister of Jamaica 1955–9, and Premier 1959–62. Despite his enthusiastic support of the Federation of the West Indies, his decision not to become its Prime Minister despite his personal standing was a fundamental blow to its prestige. He became leader of the opposition in 1962, and in February 1969 retired in favour of his son, Michael Manley.