The Caribbean revolutionary who cut illiteracy from 35% to 5% and declared 'we are not in anybody's backyard'
“We are not in anybody's backyard, and we are definitely not for sale.” — Hunter College, New York, August 1983
Grenadian revolutionary and Prime Minister of the People's Revolutionary Government (1979–1983). After studying law in London, he returned to lead the New JEWEL Movement (NJM), toppling the corrupt Gairy regime in 1979. In power, he reduced illiteracy from 35% to 5%, unemployment from 50% to 14%, and introduced free healthcare, equal pay, and paid maternity leave. He built an international airport with Cuban cooperation and held fast to an anti-imperialist line: 'We are not in anybody's backyard, and we are definitely not for sale.' Executed in a 1983 internal coup by Deputy PM Bernard Coard, his death triggered the US invasion of Grenada.
Career Timeline
- 1944Born on Aruba, then a Dutch colony
- 1963–1969Studied law in London; called to the Bar at Gray's Inn
- 1970Returned to Grenada; gained fame defending striking nurses
- 1973Co-founded the New JEWEL Movement (NJM); Joint Coordinating Secretary
- 1973–1974'Bloody Sunday' arrest and beating; father shot dead on 'Bloody Monday'
- 1976–1979Leader of the Opposition against Gairy's dictatorship
- 1979.3Revolution deposed Gairy; became Prime Minister of the PRG
- 1979–1983Slashed illiteracy and unemployment; free healthcare, women's rights; built airport with Cuba
- 1983.10.19Arrested and executed by firing squad in Bernard Coard's coup