Jamaica National Heroes

Learn about Jamaica National Heroes

There are seven National Heroes of Jamaica.

Paul Bogle

????- 1865
Freedom fighter, and Jamaican National hero since 1969, Paul Bogle led the famous Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865, which turned out to be one of the defining moments in Jamaica’s struggle for political and economical advancement.

Sir Alexander Bustamante

1884-1977
Sir William Alexander Clarke Bustamante was a Jamaican politician and labour leader. He was named one of Jamaica’s National heroes, for his significant contributions to Jamaican politics, and dedicating his life and campaigning for workers rights.

Marcus Garvey

1887-1940
Marcus Garvey is recognised as a key figure in the struggle for racial equality. He founded the UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association) and championed the ‘back to Africa’ movement of the 1920s. His legacy makes him an inspirational figure for civil rights leaders and politicians today.

George William Gordon

1820-1865
George William Gordon was a free colored land owner and an associate of Paul Bogle. As a member of the House of Parliament, he used his position to highlight the sufferings of the people and to make a plea for changes. The Morant Bay Rebellion and the deaths of Bogle and Gordon kick started the beginning of a new era in Jamaica’s development.

Queen Nanny

lived and died in Nanny Town.
Queen Mother Nanny, (Nanny of the Maroons) whose portrait is on the 500 Jamaican dollar bill, was the great 18th century leader of the Windward or Eastern Jamaican Maroons. She is famous for her heroic struggle against the British colonial empire and its institution of slavery in Jamaica. She was declared Queen Nanny a National Heroine in 1975.

Samuel Sharpe

1801-1832
Samuel Sharpe, a creole slave born in 1801 Montego Bay Jamaica, is remembered for his leading role in the Christmas revolution of 1831, which was a key event in the fight for the abolishment of slavery.

Norman Washington Manley

1893-1969
Jamaican statesman, Norman Washington Manley, an advocate of the universal suffrage, founded the left-wing People’s National Party. He served as Jamaica’s Chief Minister from 1955 to 1959, and as Premier from 1959 to 1962. Shortly before his death he was proclaimed a National Hero.