John Randle (physician)

John Randle
Born(1855-02-01)1 February 1855
Died27 February 1928(1928-02-27) (aged 73)
Lagos, Nigeria
NationalityWest African
OccupationDoctor
Known forCo-founder of the People's Union
Spouse
(m. 1890; died 1920)
Children
  • Beatrice Randle (daughter)
  • John 'Jack' Romanes Adewole Randle (son) Abigail Randle(daughter)
  • J. K. Randle (son)

John Randle (1 February 1855 – 27 February 1928) was a Sierra Leonean medical doctor who was active in politics in Lagos, now in Nigeria, in the colonial era. Born in Sierra Leone, he was one of the first West Africans to qualify as a medical doctor in the United Kingdom. On return he worked for the Lagos Colony colonial medical service for a while, then left due to discrimination and built up a successful private practice, treating both Europeans and Africans. He co-founded the People's Union in 1908, a political association that sometimes opposed government measures. During World War I (1914–18) he was loyal to the British Empire. In post-war politics the conservative People's Union was not a serious competitor to the more radical Nigerian National Democratic Party.