Norman Manley

Norman Washington Manley (July 4 1893 - September 2 1969), was a Jamaican statesman. A Rhodes Scholar, Manley became one of Jamaica's leading lawyers in the 1920s. With his cousin, Alexander Bustamante, Manley was an advocate of universal suffrage which was granted the colony in 1944. He founded the left wing People's National Party, in 1938, and led it in every election from 1944 to 1967. He served as the colony's Chief Minister from 1955 to 1959, and as Premier from 1959 to 1962. He was a proponent of the island's participation in the Federation of the West Indies but bowed to pressure to hold a referendum in 1961 which resulted in Jamaica withdrawing from the union.

Manley's wife, Edna (née Swithenbank), was well-known as a sculptor and promoter of the arts on the island. Manley's son, Michael Manley, was to serve as Prime Minister of Jamaica.