Famous Jamaican Leaders

Nanny of the Maroons was a Jamaican resistance fighter best remembered as the leader of the Jamaican Maroons. She led a community called Windward Maroons which fought a war against the British authorities in what came to be known as the First Maroon War. In 1975, she was declared Jamaica's only female national hero by the government of Jamaica. 

Michael Manley was a Jamaican politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Jamaica on two occasions between 1972 and 1992. An influential politician, he served as the prime minister from 1972 to 1980 and again from 1989 to 1992. Michael Manley is often counted among the most popular Jamaican prime ministers of all time.

Portia Simpson-Miller is a Jamaican politician best known for her service as the Prime Minister of Jamaica on two occasions; from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2016. From 2005 to 2017, Portia Simpson-Miller served as the leader of the People's National Party. 

Andrew Holness is a Jamaican politician and the current Prime Minister of Jamaica, serving his second consecutive term. He is the youngest politician to have been elected twice as prime minister in Jamaica's history. Andrew Holness is also the current leader of the Jamaica Labour Party.

Alexander Bustamante was a Jamaican politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Jamaica from 6 August 1962 to 23 February 1967. He also served as the Chief Minister of Jamaica from 5 May 1953 to 2 February 1955.

Bruce Golding is a Jamaican former politician who served as the Prime Minister of Jamaica from 2007 to 2011. Bruce Golding also served as the leader of the Jamaica Labour Party from 2005 to 2011.

Frank Worrell was a Jamaican cricket player who played for the West Indies cricket team as a batsman. He achieved popularity in the 1950s when he became the second black captain of the Windies. Frank Worrell was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.

P. J. Patterson is a Jamaican retired politician known for his service as the Prime Minister of Jamaica from 1992 to 2006, the longest term for any prime minister in the history of Jamaica. Patterson also served as the Minister of Defence from 1992 to 2006 and as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade from 1978 to 1980.

Devon Harris is a Jamaican former military officer and bobsledder. A founding member of the national bobsled team that participated in the 1988 Winter Olympics, Harris went on to represent his country in the 1992 and 1998 Olympics. Also a humanitarian, Harris is credited with founding the Keep on Pushing Foundation in 2006, which supports children's education in disadvantaged communities.   

Donald Keith Duncan was a Jamaican politician and dental surgeon. An important member of the People's National Party, Duncan is best remembered for his service as the Minister of National Mobilization & Human Resource Development from 1977 to 1980. Donald Keith Duncan's services to the Electoral Commission of his country earned him the prestigious Order of Distinction in 2019.

Joseph Robert Love was a Bahamian-born Jamaican physician, clergyman, teacher, politician, journalist, and pan-Africanist. An influential journalist, Love is credited with founding the Jamaica Advocate newspaper which became a popular publication in the country. Joseph Robert Love also held a political office in Jamaica.

Richard Hart was a Jamaican politician, historian, and solicitor best remembered as a founding member of the famous People's National Party. A pioneer of Marxism in Jamaica, Hart played a prominent role in the country's politics in the days leading up to its independence in 1962. Richard Hart also authored several important books, such as Slaves who Abolished Slavery.