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Jamaican Historical Figures
Pioneers of Art, Culture, Media and Entertainment
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by Sheree-Anita Shearer | Associate Writers
Our tiny island of Jamaica has not become the powerhouse that it is just on the merit of its topography alone. Countless people have been a part of Jamaica’s road to Independence and its establishment as a country in politics, science, sports and entertainment.
And through pursuing a field they were passionate about, they were able to put Jamaica on a global stage.
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In our Jamaica 60 celebrations, the Jamaica Observer put together a magazine, “Jamaica, 60 Years A Nation”, filled with our highlights over the past 60 years. In it, they included the “Morgue of the Monumental”, a tribute to those Jamaicans who had a hand in shaping Jamaica before they, unfortunately, passed away.
Our National Heroes were indomitable fighters for our nation and, most even hand a hand in its early stages as a nation as its first premier or prime minister.
But we must have had others, right?
Let us look at the Jamaican Historical Figures in arts and entertainment who have paved the way for us.
Arts and Culture
Ms Lou - Louise Bennet Coverley (1919-2006)
A true champion of the arts in Jamaica, especially our national dialect “Patois” through poetry. There is hardly a Jamaican alive who doesn’t know at least one Ms Lou poem that was repeated at a school function or done as a talent piece in school competitions.
Ms Lou was a poet, folklorist, actress, writer and educator who used her love for the arts to not only entertain but to educate as well. A big part of the pantomime, Ms Lou was a part of the Jamaican Independence Parade on the “Banana Boy” Float.
The list of achievements and accolades for Ms Lou is quite a long one. It includes her appointment as Cultural Ambassador at Large for Jamaica by the Jamaican Government.
On Jamaica’s 39th independence day, The Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverley was appointed as a member of the Order of Merit for her contribution to the development of the Arts and Culture.
Ranny Williams - Randolph Samuel Williams (1912-1980)
Randolph Samuel Williams, the Panamanian-born dramatist, television personality and actor, moved to Jamaica at age 6. He first moved to St. Andrew before relocating to St. Catherine. It was in Jamaica where Williams was schooled and, his passion for the arts was truly developed.
Older folks might know him for his partnership with Lee Gordon as “Amos and Andy”, others might know him for his partnership with Ms Lou, his role as the character Brer Anancy in the pantomime or for his nationally televised “Ranny Williams Show” which started in 1963.
He again joined Lee Gordon for a series of radio productions.
Maas Ran not only left his indelible mark in the arts and media but he was also a man of the people who had his hand in many community outreaches and development initiatives including JAMAL (now JFFLL), the Ranny Williams Youth Club (which he founded) and being a regular on the “Nuggets for the Needy Show”.
Ranny Williams’ outstanding achievement in the field of entertainment and drama earned him several awards:
- The Jamaica Certificate and the Badge of Honour in the Queen’s New Year honours list ( 1968)
- The Institute of Jamaica Silver Musgrave Medal (1968)
- Commander of the Order of Distinction (C. D.) for Outstanding Services in the field of Entertainment ( 1976)
- The Centenary Medal (1979)
The Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre is named in his honour.
Edna Swithenbank Manley (1900-1987)
Edna Swithenbank Manley, OM, was the wife of Norman Manley. She moved to Jamaica from England in 1922 after marrying Manley a year prior. Mrs Manley is known primarily for her sculptures but she has created pieces in various forms of art.
Edna was co-founder of the Jamaica School of Art in 1950 which was renamed the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts following her passing.
To honour her for her work, she received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from the University of West Indies, Kingston as well as the Order of Merit at the 1980 exhibition held at the National Gallery.
Dr Joyce Lilieth Robinson (1925-2013)
Dr. Joyce Lilieth Robinson was the first Jamaican head of the Jamaica Library Service and also served as the head of JAMAL (now JFFLL) and the Heart Trust. She was a core part of the team who first introduced televisions to the Jamaican public, as well as the transition from black and white to coloured through her time as head of the Jamaican Broadcasting Corporation.
Mallica “Kapo” Reynolds (1911-1989)
Kapo Reynolds is a man who is truly self-taught in his craft. Having no concept of sculpting, he worked purely from his intuition to create his pieces.
His work can be seen in the National Gallery of Jamaica. Not only was he a talented artiste, but he was also a charismatic Revival leader who eventually became the patriarch bishop at the St Micheal Tabernacle.
Ralston Milton “Rex” Nettleford” (1933-2010)
For Jamaicans very passionate about choreography and dance, Professor, The Hon. Rex Nettleford’s work is unavoidable and rightfully so.
As Co-founder of the National Dance Theatre Company and a key contributor to the University of West Indies in various capacities from lecturer to vice chancellor emeritus, he is lauded for his work in Jamaica in the fields of dance and culture. He was a true champion of not just Jamaica but the Caribbean at large.
Honours and Awards
- 1975: the Order of Merit of Jamaica
- 1981: Gold Musgrave Medal (1981)
- 13 Honourary Doctorates including one in Civil Law from Oxford University
- 1996-2004: Vice-Chancellor of the UWI
- 2008: The Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC)
- Fellow at the Institute of Jamaica
- Fellow of the University of Oxford's Oriel College
- 2003: Rex Nettleford Fellowship in Cultural Studies established by the Rhodes Trust
The Rex Nettleford Hall at UWI is named in his honour.
Olive Lewin (1927-2013)
Olive Lewin dedicated a considerable amount of her life to the preservation of Jamaican culture through various endeavours. This she was able to achieve through the many fields she was part of as an author and social anthropologist and musicologist. She is also the founder of the Jamaican Folk Singers and Memory Bank.
Media and Entertainment
Barbara Gloudon (1935-2022)
Barbara Gloudon worked in journalism and tourism. You could hear her thoughts on social topics on the radio with Hotline which was always called the Barbara Gloudon show by the listeners. Not only was she getting down to the hard facts on radio, but her work also provided entertainment, through the radio drama “Wrong Move”.
Gloudon was part of the team who challenged visitors (and Jamaicans) to see our island as “more than a beach”, but instead as a country. If you didn’t catch her thoughts on the radio, then you would be able to read them in her long-standing column in the Jamaica Observer.
John William Maxwell (1934-2010)
Most grandparents will tell you about the public Eye talk show which was started and hosted by Mr. Maxwell on the then JBC Radio (now RJR).
He has also worked and the two top newspapers throughout his lifetime The Gleaner and The Observer (Common Sense). He was known as a gladiator in journalism for his no-nonsense questions in the quest for the truth not only for himself but for the wider public.
Wilmot “Motty” Perkins (1931-2012)
Tuning in to Motty Perkins was a key time for most Jamaicans during weekdays on RJR. His career began at The Gleaner but he would tackle other areas of journalism as well, including radio and television. He had multiple programmes including, "Public Eye", "Hotline", "Straight Talk" and "What’s Your Grouse".
But for some, or me at least, it was Perkins Online where I was introduced to Motty as he was called by most. Perkins Online, “the thinking man’s talk show”, was the midday place of escape or aggravation for many Jamaicans, as they discussed a wide cross-section of topics.
At the time of his passing Motty Perkins was the longest-serving talk show host in the history of journalism in Jamaica.
Theodore Sealey (1910-2001)
Gleaner editor-in-chief, a contributor to the establishment of CARIMAC and the annual Spelling Bee competition and the list goes on. Theodore Sealey was a giant in the printed media space. Sealey was also a member of the team chosen to select the national symbols for our 1962 Independence.
Peter Henry Abrahams (1919-2017)
This South African adopted Jamaica as his country in 1956, He was well known for his political and social stances which he shared on Radio Jamaica (RJR). He became the first Chairman of said company after it was sold to the employees and other local organisations by the Micheal Manley-led government.
Hugh Crosskill Jr (1954-2001)
Hugh Croaskill Jr. worked both in Jamaica, Barbados and London. He worked with the Caribbean News Agency and restarted the Caribbean News Service of the BBC before returning home to head the RJR. He also co-hosted a show with fellow Jamaican journalist and prominent radio personality Cliff Hughes.
Neville Willoughby (1937-2006)
Neville Willoughby was a mainstay on RJR up until his death in 2006. As a journalist, he has had quite a few memorable moments including his interview with Reggae icon Bob Marley.
Willoughby has also worked for the BBC Caribbean, BBC London and JBC Radio and TV. Not only a journalist, but he was also a recording artiste with two of his most popular songs being Christmas JA and I love Jamaica.
And on that note, we come to an end of this list of iconic Jamaicans. And just like Mr Willoughby sang, they all used their varying passions to serve the country they undoubtedly loved.
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References & Sources For Jamaican Historical Figures
- Daily Observer, 2022. Jamaica 60 Years a Nation. Pp.126-145.
- Jis.gov.jm. 2022. Get The Facts – The Centenary of Louise Simone Bennett-Coverley, OM, OJ, MBE – Jamaica Information Service. [online] Available at: [Accessed 26 August 2022]
- Jis.gov.jm. 2022. Randolph Samuel Williams – Jamaica Information Service. [online] Available at: [Accessed 26 August 2022]
Jamaican Historical Figures | Written: August 26, 2022
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