Margai, Sir Milton

Margai, Sir Milton

▪ prime minister of Sierra Leone
born December 1895, Gbangbatok, Sierra Leone
died April 28, 1964, Freetown

      first prime minister of Sierra Leone, a conservative, pro-British politician who came to power with the backing of a coalition of traditional chiefs and elite modernists from the Protectorate—the part of Sierra Leone that became a British colony at the end of the 19th century.

      The grandson of a paramount chief and the first physician from the Protectorate (1926), Margai worked in the government medical service until 1950, during which time he built up lasting contacts and loyalties. His active political career began after World War II, when he joined the Sierra Leone Organization Society, an antipopulist though moderately progressive party. In 1951 he founded the Sierra Leone People's Party, which gained the support of Protectorate chiefs, on whom he depended to assure the allegiance of the rural populations and whom he supported in turn against populist demands and pressures. As the majority leader in the Legislative Council he was appointed to the Executive Council and later, as minister of health, he became one of the first Africans to hold a ministerial post. In 1953–54 he was made chief minister (later premier) as well as minister of agriculture, health, and forests. Later in the 1950s he also held the posts of attorney general and minister for internal affairs.

      Although he easily won the elections of 1957, Margai was challenged within the People's Party by his younger brother Albert, who accused him of being too moderate and cautious. In 1958 Albert left to form his own party, the People's National Party, which was defeated in district elections in 1959. That same year Margai formed a united front to hold talks in London for independence, which was granted in 1961. His coalition government, with many former opposition leaders in his Cabinet, lasted from 1959 until his death, after which he was succeeded by his brother Albert. Margai had been knighted in 1959.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Milton Margai College of Education and Technology — Established 1963 Type Private Students 8,369 Location Freetown, Sierra Leone …   Wikipedia

  • Milton Margai — Sir Milton Augustus Strieby Margai (* 7. Dezember 1895 in Gbangbatoke; † 28. April 1964 in Freetown) war Hauptminister des Britischen Protektorats Sierra Leone, Premierminister des Britischen Protektorats und erster Premierminister von Sierra… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Milton Margai — en una moneda de 1964. Sir Milton Augustus Strieby Margai (7 de diciembre de 1895 28 de abril de 1964) fue un político sierraleonés, que fungió como Primer Ministro de Sierra Leona inmediatamente después de su independencia. Nacido en la… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Sir Foley Newns — Sir Alfred Foley Francis Polden Newns KCMG CVO was a member of the Colonial Service from 1932 to 1971. His name appears as one of five Architects of Departmental Systems [R. L. Wettenhall, 1984. Architects of Departmental Systems: Five Profiles,… …   Wikipedia

  • Milton Margai — The Right Honourable Sir Milton Margai M.D. The Right Honourable Sir Milton Margai 1st Prime Minister of Sierra Leone …   Wikipedia

  • Milton Margai College — Vorlage:Infobox Hochschule/Logo fehltVorlage:Infobox Hochschule/Studenten fehltVorlage:Infobox Hochschule/Mitarbeiter fehltVorlage:Infobox Hochschule/Professoren fehlt Milton Margai College of Education Technology Gründung 1963 Trägerschaft… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Albert Margai — Infobox Prime Minister honorific prefix = The Right Honourable name = Sir Albert Margai honorific suffix = J.D. imagesize = birth date = Birth date|1910|10|10|df=y birth place = Gbangbatoke, Banta Chiefdom, Moyamba District, Sierra Leone… …   Wikipedia

  • Charles Margai — Charlles Francis Margai Personal details Born August 19, 1945 (1945 08 19) (age 66) Bonthe, Bonthe District, Sierra Leone Nationality Sierra Leonean Political party People s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) Residence …   Wikipedia

  • Albert Margai — Sir Albert Michael Margai (* 10. Oktober 1910 in Gbangbatoke; † 18. Dezember 1980) war der zweite Premierminister in der Geschichte der Republik Sierra Leone vom 30. April 1964 bis 17. März 1967. Er war der Bruder des ersten Premierministers… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Sierra Leone — Sierra Leonean /lee oh nee euhn/. /lee oh nee, lee ohn / an independent republic in W Africa: member of the Commonwealth of Nations; formerly a British colony and protectorate. 4,891,546; 27,925 sq. mi. (72,326 sq. km). Cap.: Freetown. * * *… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”