Donald Sangster facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Most Honourable Sir Donald Sangster ON GCVO
2nd Prime Minister of Jamaica
In office 23 February 1967 – 11 April 1967
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor-General	Clifford Campbell
Deputy	Clem Tavares
Preceded by	Alexander Bustamante
Succeeded by	Hugh Shearer
Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica
In office 11 March 1963 – February 1967
Prime Minister	Alexander Bustamante
Succeeded by	Clem Tavares
Personal details
Born	Donald Burns Sangster (1911-10-26)26 October 1911 Saint Elizabeth, Colony of Jamaica
Died	11 April 1967(1967-04-11) (aged 55) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Political party	Jamaica Labour Party

Sir Donald Burns Sangster was an important Jamaican leader. He was a lawyer and a politician. He became the second Prime Minister of Jamaica in 1967. Sadly, he was the only Prime Minister to die while still in office.

Early Life of Donald Sangster

Donald Burns Sangster was born on October 26, 1911. His birthplace was Black River in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. His father, William B. Sangster, worked as a land surveyor. His mother's name was Cassandra Sangster.

Donald went to a well-known school called Munro College. This school is also in St. Elizabeth.

Donald Sangster's Political Journey

Donald Sangster started his political career very young. He was just 21 years old in 1933. He was elected to the Parish Council of St. Elizabeth. This council helps manage local government.

In 1944, he became a member of the House of Representatives of Jamaica. This is like a parliament where laws are made. He joined the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

Over time, he took on bigger roles. He became the Minister of Social Welfare and Labour. Later, he was the Minister of Finance. This job meant he managed the country's money.

On March 11, 1963, he was made Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica. This meant he was the second-in-command. In February 1964, the Prime Minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante, became ill. Donald Sangster then stepped in as the Acting Prime Minister.

In the 1967 general election, the JLP won again. They won 33 out of 53 seats. The other main party, the PNP, won 20 seats.

Donald Sangster officially became Prime Minister on February 23, 1967. He led only one cabinet meeting. Less than two weeks later, he became very ill. He passed away on April 11, 1967.

To honor him, his face is on the Jamaican five thousand dollar banknote. Also, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is named after him.

Becoming a Knight

On March 18, 1967, Donald Sangster fell ill. The U.S. government helped fly him to a special hospital. He went to the Montreal Neurological Institute in Canada for treatment.

He went into a coma on April 1. During this time, Queen Elizabeth II honored him. She made him a knight. This means he was given the title "Sir." He died 10 days later.