Errol Walton Barrow

Errol barrow was born on january 21, 1920, st. Lucy barbados. Born
in the northern parish of st. Lucy on 21 january 1920, errol walton
barrow, a social activist, and political leader were the first prime
minister of barbados. Also known as the ‘father of independence and
social transformation,’ barrow’s life is full of significant
accomplishments. Not only did he serve in the royal air force during
world war II, but he then also went on study law and economics to
become an attorney at law. After returning to barbados in 1950,
barrow was elected to the barbados parliament in 1951 as part of the
barbados labor party (BLP). Disillusioned with the state of barbadian
politics at the time, he sought his political alternative and
subsequently in 1955 formed the democratic labor party (DLP), going
on to become the party leader in 1958.
 He served as Premier of Barbados from 1961 to 1966 and proudly led his
country to Independence from Great Britain, thus becoming the island’s
first Prime Minister. He held this highly respected position for ten years,
until 1976 when the BLP was re-elected back into office. Remarkably, in
1986, after almost ten years as leader of the opposition, Barrow was again
overwhelmingly elected as Prime Minister of Barbados.

 However, a year after his re-election, Barrow suddenly collapsed and died
in his home on 1 June 1987, passing away while still in office.
SOME OF HIS ACHIEVEMENTS:
— FIRST PRIME MINISTER OF BARBADOS (1966 – 1976)
— FATHER OF INDEPENDENCE
— SUPPORTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES AND
REGIONAL UNITY
— DESIGNER OF A MODERN SYSTEM OF PUBLIC BUDGETING
— ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES CAMPUS AT
CAVE HILL
— CREATOR OF THE BARBADOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
— CO-FOUNDER OF THE CARIBBEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION
(CARIFTA)
— INSPIRED THE LOWERING OF THE AGE OF MAJORITY FROM
TWENTY-ONE TO EIGHTEEN
— CO-FOUNDER OF CARICOM
 Not long after Barrow’s death in 1987, the Errol Barrow Park, a community park located in the
local parish of St. Michael, was opened in memory of the late Errol Walton Barrow.

 The Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination, at the University of the West Indies in
Barbados, Cave Hill campus, is yet another honor bestowed upon the late great Errol Barrow.
The Centre promotes the making, study, and appreciation of the arts.

 In 1998, by an act of Parliament, Barrow was also publicly named as one of the ten official
National Heroes of Barbados. National Heroes Day on April 28th and is a bank holiday
celebrating these official national heroes that have played a significant part in Barbados’ history
and development.

 To celebrate the accomplishments and give recognition to this phenomenal Barbadian, Errol
Walton Barrow’s birthday (21st January) is also honored as a national holiday in Barbados –
aptly named ‘Errol Barrow Day.’

 There is also an Errol Barrow statue to honor this tremendous local hero in Independence
Square, in the heart of Bridgetown, the nation’s capital. Fittingly, this location gives you a view of
the Parliament Buildings as well as National Heroes Square, an excellent nod to this local
legend.
 Errol Barrow center for creative imagination

 Errol Barrow Statue

Biography On Errol Barrow