Sir Alexander Bustamante

Sir Alexander Bustamante , 1884-1977, prime minister of Jamaica (1962-67). The son of an Irish father and a Jamaican mother, he was adopted and taken to Spain as a child. He joined the Spanish army, then traveled extensively, working at a wide variety of jobs. Returning to Jamaica in 1932, he became active in the labor movement, gaining prominence with his flaming oratory, and founded the country's largest trade union. After being jailed (1941-42) as a rabble-rouser, he formed (1943) the Jamaica Labour party, a relatively conservative group that attracted right-wing support. He was chief minister (1953-55) and became prime minister in Apr., 1962; independence within the Commonwealth of Nations was achieved that August. A flamboyant leader, he maintained close relations with the United States and launched an ambitious five-year program of public works and land reform. Illness caused him to retire from politics in 1967. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1955.

Bustamante, Sir (William) Alexander (1884–1977) Jamaican statesman. He was a labour leader and founder of the Jamaican Labour Party, and became his country's first Prime Minister (1962–65) after independence from Britain in 1962. During this time he initiated an ambitious five-year plan which embraced major public works projects, agrarian reform, and social welfare.

Bustamante, Sir William Alexander (b. 24 Feb. 1884, d. 6 Aug. 1977). Prime Minister of Jamaica 1962–5 Born in Blenheim (Jamaica), he studied in the USA and lived in Cuba and Panama before returning to Jamaica in 1934 to become a trade-union organizer. In 1938 he founded the right-wing Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, when he was also successfully defended by Norman Manley from charges of sedition. He organized a general strike in 1939, and in 1943 founded the conservative Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). He became Chief Minister of Jamaica, 1944–55. Originally an opponent of greater autonomy (‘self government means slavery’), he changed course and ignited Jamaican patriotism to campaign for independence from the Federation of the West Indies. The first Prime Minister upon independence, he retired because of ill health.