Milton Margai

Sir Milton Margai
1st Prime Minister of Sierra Leone
In office
27 April 1961 – 28 April 1964
MonarchElizabeth II
Preceded byposition established
Succeeded bySir Albert Margai
Chief Minister of Sierra Leone
In office
9 July 1954 – 14 August 1958
Leader of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP)
In office
1951–1964
Preceded byPosition created
Succeeded bySir Albert Margai
Personal details
Born
Milton Augustus Strieby Margai

(1895-12-07)7 December 1895
Gbangbatoke, Moyamba District, British Sierra Leone
Died28 April 1964(1964-04-28) (aged 68)
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Resting placeAt the Sierra Leone House of Parliament compound Tower Hill, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Political partySierra Leone People's Party (SLPP)
ProfessionPhysician

Sir Milton Augustus Strieby Margai PC (7 December 1895 – 28 April 1964) was a Sierra Leonean physician and politician who served as the country's head of government from 1954 until his death in 1964.[1] He was titled chief minister from 1954 to 1960, and then prime minister from 1961 onwards.[1][2] Margai studied medicine in England, and upon returning to his homeland became a prominent public health campaigner. He entered politics as the founder and inaugural leader of the Sierra Leone People's Party. Margai oversaw Sierra Leone's transition to independence, which occurred in 1961. He died in office aged 68, and was succeeded as prime minister by his brother Albert.[3] Margai enjoyed the support of Sierra Leoneans across classes, who respected his moderate style, friendly demeanor, and political savvy.[4]

  1. ^ a b "Sir Milton Margai, prime minister of Sierra Leone". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Sir Milton Margai Dead at 68; Prime Minister of Sierra Leone; Physician and Peoples Party Leader Guided Nation in 3 Years of Independence". The New York Times. 29 April 1964. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  3. ^ "FindArticles.com | CBSi". findarticles.com. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).