Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Eric Gairy

Role / Field:

Grenadian politician who served as the first Prime Minister of Grenada (1974-1979).

Born:

1922-02-18

Died:

1997-08-23

Century / Era:

1922s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Sir Eric Matthew Gairy PC (18 February 1922 – 23 August 1997) was the first Prime Minister of Grenada, serving from his country's independence in 1974 until his overthrow in a coup by Maurice Bishop in 1979. Gairy also served as head of government in pre-independence Grenada as Chief Minister from 1961 to 1962 and as Premier from 1967 to 1974. Eric Matthew Gairy was the son of Douglas and Theresa Gairy, and was born 18 February 1922 in Dunfermline, St. Andrew's Parish on the eastern side of the island near Grenville, Grenada.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He attended the LaFillette School and then the St. Andrews Roman Catholic Senior School. He was also an acolyte at St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, next door to the school. He became a primary "student-teacher" in the LaFillette School from January 1939 to September 1941.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He moved to Aruba where he worked several years in the oil refinery of the Lago Oil and Transport Company. Eric Gairy returned to Grenada in December, 1949 to enter trade unionism and politics. In 1950 he founded the Grenada Manual & Metal Workers Union (GMMWU) and was deeply involved in encouraging the 1951...

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Frequently Asked Questions about Eric Gairy