Sir Alexander Bustamante
(1884 - 1977)
National Hero & First Prime Minister Of Jamaica

Sir Alexander Bustamante | Photo Credit: Jamaica Observer

Founder of the Jamaica Labour Party and the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, Bustamante is honoured here as a champion of the poor and oppressed, for his role in organizing labour, and for his part in furthering the nationalist movement by his challenge to colonial authority.

‘Busta’ as he was affectionately referred to by everyone, was born at Blenheim, a community in the parish of Hanover on the 24th of February 1884, the son of a modest pen-keeping family and was christened William Alexander Clarke.

His Search For Opportunities

His education and opportunities were limited and in 1903, like tens of thousands of his compatriots, he left Jamaica in search of adventure overseas. He lived and worked in many countries, acquiring a dashing Latin style of dress and behaviour as well as the name Bustamante by which he was known thereafter, formally changing his name by deed poll in 1944.

Related: Marcus Garvey

Historians have however not yet managed to totally untangle the reality from the myths and legends of Bustamante’s foreign sojourn.

His Return To Jamaica

He returned to Jamaica for good in 1933 and tried his hand at several occupations, eventually becoming a money-lender and was well into his fifties when he entered public life.

He first attracted attention by a series of letters he wrote to the newspapers attacking the social and political conditions of colonial Jamaica. Soon he began speaking on public platforms, particularly at meetings at North Parade in Kingston (in association with St William Grant).

In 1937 Sir Alexander Bustamante got into the business of organizing the labour force and his charismatic personality soon won him a huge mass following.

As Sylvia Wynter has expressed it (in Jamaica’s National Heroes): ‘if the word "charisma" had not existed, the eruption of William Alexander Bustamante on the Jamaican scene in the 19305 would have caused some political scientist or other to have invented it . . . In the life and time of William Alexander Bustamante we see the word "charisma" made flesh.’

For his role as the spokesman and champion of labour, he was imprisoned during the island wide riots of 1938 in Frome, Westmoreland. He also spent 17 months (1940-42) in detention camp during the Second World War.

By the way, it was during the 1938 labour ferment that Bustamante formed the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU). In 1944, Jamaica’s first general election was held under Universal Adult Suffrage granted by a new constitution.

Sir Alexander Bustamante formed the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to contest the election and led it to victory, gaining 23 out of 32 seats.

He thus became Jamaica’s first chief minister. The JLP held power until 1955 in which year Bustamante was knighted by the Queen.

Sir Alexander Bustamante & The West Indies Federation

Jamaica became a part of the West Indies Federation that was established in 1958 and Bustamante was Jamaican leader of the Democratic Labour Party that came to power in the Federal elections.

However, he soon changed his policy and advocated the withdrawal of Jamaica from the Federation and a move towards National Independence From Colonial Rule.

Jamaicans voted to secede from the Federation in a special referendum and the island became Independent in 1962.

The JLP won the election held that year (1962)and Bustamante became the first prime minister. In that year, he married his private secretary of many years, Miss Gladys Longbridge.

'Busta' - The Only Living Hero

Bustamante retired from active politics in 1967, but until his death in 1977 continued to be an influential figure in both the party and the labour union.

Sir Alexander Bustamante was proclaimed a National Hero Of Jamaica during his lifetime, and the to date, the only living National Hero Jamaica has had.

Port Bustamante, Bustamante Children’s Hospital and Bustamante Bridge (St Thomas) are among the places named in his honour.  (See Places Names After National Heroes)

New! Watch Documentary Of Sir Alexander Bustamante

You have received :-)
Now share you new found knowledge with your friends!

Other Pages Related To Sir Alexander Bustamante

• National Heroes Of Jamaica
• National Symbols Of Jamaica
• Famous People From Jamaica
  

References:

• Clinton Black, History Of Jamaica
• Andrea Campbell, Jamaican Proverbs People and Places
  
• Olive Senior, Encylopedia of Jamiacan Heritage
• "Sir Alexander Bustamante", https://jis.gov.jm/information/heroes/sir-alexander-bustamante-2/ (link)

Return to Famous Places In Jamaica from Sir Alexander Bustamante
Return to My Island Jamaica from Sir Alexander Bustamante

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget! I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Read More ...

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!

---

P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

---

SHOP JAMAICAN Book Local Tours

Book Your Vacation Travel TIPS and Cautions

Watch My Videos!

Featured Video!

Travelling To Jamaica? 

Read this BEFORE you go

👇🏿

Recent Articles

• 
• 
• 

1. Am I Entitled to a Pension from Jamaica After Working There Years Ago?

   Jul 02, 25 07:56 PM

   Question from Leslie, London, UK: I worked in Jamaica from 1977 to 1984 in the Correctional Services, migrated, and I am now 65 years old.

   Read More

2. What Happens If You Register a Business But Don’t Get the License?

   Jul 02, 25 07:06 PM

   Question from Fabian Lindo, Kingston, Jamaica: Good day. Hope this platform is still operational. I was reading your response to Brandon from

   Read More

3. Use US Dollars or Jamaican Dollars When Visiting Jamaica?

   Jul 01, 25 10:42 PM

   Question from Alan, Georgia, USA: How do Jamaicans view the US dollar vs the Jamaican Dollar? Is it better to use one over the other when I

   Read More

4. Who Are Jamaica’s National Heroes and What’s Their Story?

   Jun 30, 25 08:09 PM

   Question from Lisa, UK: What’s the story behind Jamaica’s national heroes? I only really know about Marcus Garvey. Hi Lisa, I love that

   Read More

5. Can I Place a Fence Between Two Buildings on My Property in Jamaica?

   Jun 30, 25 08:00 PM

   Question from Kelvin Meekins, USA: I bought a piece of land in Jamaica and I wanted to know if I could build a structure on each side of the

   Read More