Robert lightbourne biography

Robert Lightbourne is referred to as a pioneer in Jamaican industrialization.
Robert Charles Lightbourne (1909-1995) is credited with composing the music for Jamaica's national anthem.
Robert Charles Lightbourne was born on November 29, 1909 at Mountpelier in St Thomas to planter and politician Robert Augustus Lightbourne.

•

Robert Lightbourne: ‘Made the weather’

It is the norm to affix the achievements, or lack thereof, of an Administration to the prime minister. Indeed in our Western liberal democratic model the prime minister is primus inter pares (the first among equals). It is only right, therefore, that the buck stops with him or her.

However, I believe there are two post-Independence politicians who, although they did not rise to the highest elected office in our land, effectively, if not almost single-handedly, set the agenda for the politics of their day — even more so than the then sitting prime minister.

The late Robert Charles Lightbourne, an outstanding industry and trade minister in the 1950s, is one of the two. I think even the harshest critics (and yes, he did have several) of Lightbourne would find it extremely difficult to downgrade the fact the he was an exceptionally gifted individual and a tremendously effectively politician. His immensely positive impact on the development of this country is still evident throughout Jamaica.

EARLY TO MID-YEARS

Robert Ch

•

Hon. Robert Lightbourne, OJ

Over a century ago, the Honourable Robert Lightbourne rose as a son of the soil from Morant Bay, St. Thomas, and made an indelible mark. He was born on November 29, 1909, to parents Robert Augustus Lightbourne, a former politician, and mother, Isabel Adelaide Lightbourne. Robert Lightbourne was educated at the Jamaica College in Kingston, then later studied in England. Twice married, Lightbourne’s known family tree includes five children: four sons and one daughter.

The Hon. Robert Lightbourne is referred to as a pioneer in Jamaican industrialization. He was the first managing director of the Industrial Development Corporation, from 1951-1955 and the ‘Made in Jamaica’ policy is ascribed to him, as he worked assiduously to encourage more businesses in rural communities. He developed industrial incentive laws and is credited for building several factories in Yallahs which boosted employment in and around St. Thomas. Lightbourne also provided engineering scholarships for students to study abroad, who would then return to help develop the country’s manufa

•

Robert Lightbourne, M.P. ,first Managing Director of the Industrial Development Corporation during the Jamaica Labour Party regime, is an industrialist who made his mark in the U.K. before returning to Jamaica, where he was chairman of Juney Iron and Steel Co., Birmingham. The Lightbourne name has for generations been a household word in St. Thomas in which parish Mr. Lightbourne was successful. In 1946 Mr. Lightbourne invented a grass drying machine which he presented to the Jamaica Government. (May 1958) (WIP-17)

Cite Item

Robert Lightbourne, M.P. ,first Managing Director of the Industrial Development Corporation during the Jamaica Labour Party regime, is an industrialist who made his mark in the U.K. before returning to Jamaica, where he was chairman of Juney Iron and Steel Co., Birmingham. The Lightbourne name has for generations been a household word in St. Thomas in which parish Mr. Lightbourne was successful. In 1946 Mr. Lightbourne invented a grass drying machine which he presented to the Jamaica Government. (May 1958) (WIP-17), Box: 4, Folder: 3. West Indian Photogra